A snowy 2024 winter brings drought relief to Utah

• Utah's statewide "snow-water equivalent" — the depth of the water that melted snow would produce — hit 18.8 inches last week, above the median peak of 16. Last year's peaked at 30 inches, demolishing previous records.

Reality check: The state's reservoirs remain only 46% full — well below the April median of 58% since 2011.

• That means our water supply is still rebuilding after years of drought.

What's next: The snow has to go somewhere when it melts, and spring brings heightened flooding risks each year.

• Although temperatures are expected to reach the upper 70s in Salt Lake by the end of the week, they're forecast to drop again — a good start for a gradual thaw at lower elevations.
• If snow melts in the foothills before the big runoff from the mountaintops, flood risks become more manageable.