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SALT LAKE CITY — The Christmas snowstorm moving through northern Utah delivered just the kind of gift that our state needed this year.
Most of don't like to drive on slick roads, but both water managers and people who like to play in the snow say bring it on!
Utah snowpack back to 'normal' after latest storms
"What we're seeing right now is just the beginning of this storm system," Brian McInerney, hydrologist with the National Weather Service, said Wednesday afternoon.
The storm, he said, gives a valuable boost to the state's snowpack, which will melt into water and run off into our reservoirs next spring.
- 2010: 200 percent of average snowpack
- 2011: 45 percent of average snowpack
- 2012: 100 percent of average snowpack
"We've had consistent storms moving through here, and it's really brought our snowpack from way below numbers in November to normal and just above normal (numbers in December)," McInerney said.
"Normal" is welcome news following the dry December Utah endured in 2011. Last year at this time, the state had only reached 45 percent of normal snowpack.
Also in December 2011, the Salt Lake International Airport reported only 6 inches of snow. This year, the airport has tallied 23 inches so far.
"We need a normal year," McInerny said. "A normal year would be great to fill the majority of these reservoirs, and that's what we're shooting for."
Snowstorms supply perfect conditions for holiday skiers
While the snow is good news for Utah's future water supplies, it was great news for skiers and snowboarders who were off work Wednesday and ready to enjoy some fresh powder.
"The conditions are great: a lot of snow coming down, a lot of fresh stuff," said Tom Elliot, a skier who spent Wednesday at Solitude Mountain Resort.
We ski hills in the Midwest, so we're thrilled to be here. We have two 9-year-old boys, so they're happy to be skiing in real conditions.
–Stephanie Elliot, Chicago resident
He and his wife, Stephanie, live in Chicago. For Christmas, they brought their two children to Utah for a ski trip.
"We ski hills in the Midwest, so we're thrilled to be here. We have two 9-year-old boys, so they're happy to be skiing in real conditions," Stephanie said. "Nearly all their Christmas presents were ski-oriented."
The snow has been coming down hard all week, bringing fresh snow all across Solitude. Conditions are perfect for all types of skiers.
"Every other day we've been getting new powder. For a beginner like me, it's fantastic," Stephanie said.
"It's really nice," Tom added. "Can't complain."
Further up the mountain at Brighton Ski Resort, the skiers and snowboarders looked like gumdrops battling the mountain in their winter gear. It's difficult to understand the love for it all, they say, unless you try it.
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Wintery conditions expected for busy travel day
Wednesday is expected to be a very busy day both on the roads and in the skies as Utahns make their way home from Christmas destinations. With a winter storm already impacting parts of the state, traveling could be a little dangerous."There's nothing like this," said Steve Lewis.
Lewis lives in Germany now but grew up in Utah. He said he had to bring some friends along on this ski trip to teach them why Utah powder is the "Greatest Snow on Earth."
There was a steady snowfall all day Wednesday at Brighton, constantly bringing fresh powder to the slopes.
"(The) snow is great today. It's nice and definitely warm," said Billy Schulz, a skier from Colorado. "The snow is falling, but as soon as the wind picks up it's gonna be real cold."
While most of Utah's ski resorts closed in the evening, Brighton is open for night skiing Wednesday. Just be sure to prepare for the weather conditions: it's cold.
