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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Climate researchers say 2006 was the third warmest year on record around the globe and here in Utah.
"It was an interesting year," said Alan Moller, a meteorologist at Utah State University's Climate Center. "The summer was one of our warmest. Mean temperatures in June, July and August were running 4 to 5 degrees above normal."
That's consistent with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that show that globally six of the warmest years on record since 1880 have occurred since 2001. With those rising temperatures came more drought and wildfires in the West, along with heavier precipitation and flooding.
As a whole, Utah saw its fourth-warmest summer in 2006 and the second-hottest July.
"But then, in the fall, our mean temperature ran a little cooler, and moisture definitely played a role," Moller added. "September and October came with a lot of storms, particularly in the south and southeast parts of the state, where they had phenomenal amounts of rain."
That gave the state normal to above-normal snowpack for the second consecutive year, which refilled dry reservoirs, replenished aquifers and provided a stellar season for Utah skiers.
"It was an almost perfect water year," said Brian McInerney, a hydrologist for the National Weather Service office in Salt Lake City. "We got a lot of water, and without causing any major flooding. We had a very efficient runoff, which filled the majority of the reservoirs and brought groundwater levels to very high levels."
The year also saw some of Utah's largest and extreme weather, including summer and fall flash floods that killed a toddler and stranded students in eastern and southern Utah. An August windstorm also ripped up the Provo airport.
All that weather, however, helped lower air pollution both summer and winter, said Bob Dalley, state director of air monitoring.
"It's going to go down as one of the lower (pollution) years," he said.
Utah State's Moller said if the prevailing trend continues, Utahns should probably brace for a warm 2007.
"We're seeing evidence of a warming trend and global warming is certainly a factor," said Moller. "What we still don't know are the implications of that. What's going to happen as a result of this warming? It's certainly something to think about."
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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.sltrib.com
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
