It is snowing today (Thursday) in Innsbruck, the first valley snow since we arrived in late February. It's just above freezing so that the snow is sticking on cold surfaces, but sidewalks and roads are snow free. Below is the view from my office.
I haven't thought about the weather in Utah in a few days. I knew it was going to be hot, but now that I'm checking the numbers, I'm pretty blown away. Multiple days at or above 80, including an 84(!) on Saturday March 21.
Let's put those numbers into historical context. During the 20th century, the highest March temperature recorded at the Salt Lake City International Airport was 78°F, reached on 24 March 1956 and 26 March 1960. During the 21st century, we have tied or topped that number 14 times. This includes reaching 80°F for the first time on 31 March 2012 and reaching or exceeding 80°F five times in the current heat wave, including the mind-boggling 84°F.
Let's dig a little deeper. For the 8-day period ending yesterday (Wednesday, March 25), the average maximum temperature was 78.3°F. The previous March record for an 8-day period was 74.4°F set in 2017. The 20th century record, 70.0°F, was set in 1960. So, the average maximum temperature for this stretch is an astounding 8.3°F higher than anything observed in March during the 20th century.
How about average temperature? For the 8-day period ending yesterday (Wednesday, March 25), the average temperature was 64.2°F. The previous March record was 61.6°F set in 2017. The 20th century record, 57.8°F, was set in 1910. Thus, for average temperature the current 8-day stretch is 6.4°F warmer than anything observed in March during the 20th century.
I just pulled up the Alta website and noticed they are closing Wildcat and Collins Gulch early due to unseasonable warmth. |
| Source:Alta.com |
We are deep in uncharted territory. There is no historical analog for the current March heat wave. Nothing is even close.
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