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Hi, I was wondering why the "Snow Season" is from July 1st through June 30th and the "Water Year" is from October 1st through September 30th. Why don't they use the same time period for both?
Thanks, Arvin F. Oak City
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For those people new to Utah, the water year does start October 1st like Arvin refers to. This is when we start accumulating snow in our water shed areas. Water year is used so we know how much water and snow we received.
There isn't per say a recognized formal "Snow Season" by the water community. So saying a formal Snow Season has certain dates would be a false accusation. There isn't really a set snow season but winter totals here in the city usually run from November to May.
By measuring the water from October through the next September it allows us to keep measuring snow pack through the regular new year in January.
Answered by KSL Meteorologist Dina Freedman.
