Skiers and farmers are rejoicing as Utah receives a desperately needed reprieve this winter from a multiyear drought, with moisture accumulating at rates not seen since 2011.
But, more important, snow is stacking up in the mountains at depths double last year’s meager totals. And it’s staying there, thanks to cooler-than-usual temperatures, according to federal scientists speaking Friday at a monthly water users meeting.
The snow-water equivalent for Utah mountains range from 114 percent to 172 percent of average for this point in the year, said Troy Bronson of the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
The gathering heard from hydrologists and meteorologists from four federal agencies, including the U.