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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Climate change could throw a wrench into how Utah's water supplies are managed.
Scientists at a conference Tuesday said Utah is not only expected to get hotter in the coming decades, but also see changes in annual precipitation.
Thomas Reichler (RIKE-ler), a University of Utah professor and researcher, says northern Utah could see a 10 percent increase in winter precipitation by 2050 and summers could see a 10 percent drop.
The timing of that precipitation -- and whether it comes as snow or rain -- could affect water storage.
Traditionally, mountain snow melting in the spring has supplied year-round water for the state. But officials at the conference said if that water melts early due to warmer temperatures, or arrives as rain rather than snow, it could create storage and supply problems.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
