Utah Snowpack Far Below Normal as of March 20, 2026
Source: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Utah SNOTEL Network — Snow Water Equivalent as a percent of the 1991–2020 median, end of day March 20, 2026.
Overview
Utah’s snowpack is well below normal heading into late March 2026, a critical period that typically marks peak snow water equivalent (SWE) for most of the state. The USDA NRCS SNOTEL data paints a concerning picture: the vast majority of Utah’s watersheds are showing less than 50% of median SWE — the lowest category on the map, shown in red.
Conditions by Region
Best Conditions (50–89% of Median)
The northeastern corner of the state is faring the best, though still below normal:
- Raft River — 75%
- Northeastern Uintas — 63%
- Duchesne — 63%
- Bear — 60%
- Beaver — 56%
- Provo–Utah Lake / Jordan — 51%
Moderate Deficit (33–47% of Median)
Much of the Wasatch Front and western Utah basins are in significantly below-normal territory:
- Weber–Ogden — 47%
- Tooele Valley / Vernon Creek — 35%
- Southwestern Utah — 33%
Severe Deficit (Under 30% of Median)
Central and southern Utah are in critical condition, with almost no snowpack remaining relative to historical norms:
- Upper Sevier — 30%
- San Pitch — 28%
- Price / San Rafael — 28%
- Dirty Devil — 28%
- Escalante–Paria — 22%
- Lower Sevier — 20%
- Southeastern Utah — 4% — essentially no snowpack at all
What This Means
With snowpack season at or near its peak, these numbers are alarming for water managers, farmers, and municipalities across the state. Snowpack is Utah’s primary water storage mechanism — it slowly melts through spring and early summer, replenishing rivers and reservoirs. A deficit of this magnitude heading into the melt season suggests:
- Reduced streamflows through spring and summer
- Lower reservoir inflows, particularly in central and southern Utah
- Increased drought stress for agriculture and ranching operations
- Elevated wildfire risk later in the season due to dry vegetation
Southeastern Utah’s reading of just 4% of median is particularly striking — a number that points to an extremely dry and potentially difficult year ahead for that region.
Data provided by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Map created 3-21-2026. For the latest SNOTEL data, visit nrcs.usda.gov.
