Utah’s weather changes a lot from month to month, and the differences across the state can be pretty dramatic. You’ll find everything from blazing hot desert summers to snowy mountain winters, so each month brings its own quirks that locals and visitors should probably know about.
Utah’s monthly weather swings from frigid January averages of 23°F to 37°F in Salt Lake City to scorching July highs hitting 92°F. Mountain towns like Park City stay much cooler, while desert spots like Saint George get really hot. This huge range happens because Utah sits at a high elevation and has all kinds of terrain—mountains, valleys, desert, you name it. Being in the western U.S., Utah gets a semi-arid climate with low humidity and some wild temperature shifts between seasons.
If you get a handle on Utah’s monthly weather, you can plan your adventures, pack the right clothes, and avoid surprises. Each part of the state feels different, with snowy peaks getting over 10 inches of snow per month in winter, while the desert barely gets any rain at all. Seasonal trends show up clearly, so some months are just better for certain outdoor stuff, and others need more prep for tough conditions.
Monthly Weather Overview in Utah
Utah’s temperatures swing wildly through the year. Summers can reach 100°F, while winters sometimes dip below zero. Most of the rain comes in the spring, and summers are usually bone dry with tons of sunshine.
Typical Temperature Ranges by Month
Winter brings the coldest days in Utah. January highs range from 30°F to 55°F, and some spots drop below zero at night. February stays cold, with highs between 32°F and 58°F.
Spring warms things up. March temps run from 40°F to 65°F, and April gets nicer with highs from 50°F to 75°F. By May, you’re looking at 60°F to 85°F.
Summer hits hard with serious heat. June climbs from 70°F to 95°F. July is the hottest, with highs between 80°F and 100°F. August cools off just a bit—think 75°F to 95°F.
Fall cools things down. September highs go from 65°F to 85°F. October feels pleasant, with 50°F to 75°F. By November, highs drop to 35°F to 55°F, and December chills things out at 20°F to 45°F.
Average Precipitation Patterns
Utah gets most of its rain in spring. From March to May, storms bring more moisture, especially up north and in the east.
Summer is the driest. August is the least rainy month. Thunderstorms sometimes roll through in the south, but they don’t last long.
Winter brings snow to the mountains. Salt Lake City averages about 60 inches each year. The Wasatch Range gets hammered with lake-effect snow—some places see up to 500 inches.
Cities like Salt Lake City and Provo log 48mm to 73mm of precipitation yearly. Rainy days spike in spring and fall compared to the dry summers.
Humidity and Sunshine Trends
Utah stays dry all year thanks to its semi-arid climate. Summers feel especially dry, even when it’s blazing hot. That low humidity actually makes the heat a lot more bearable.
Sunshine is pretty much a given most of the year. Summer days are long and bright. Winter days are shorter, but you’ll still get clear skies between storms.
Temperature inversions happen a lot in valley areas during winter. They trap fog and haze, cutting down the sunshine for a while. Valleys get this more than the mountains.
The high elevation means Utah sees big temperature swings between day and night, especially in the mountains.
Seasonal Weather Patterns and Climate
Utah’s four seasons really feel different, with big shifts in temperature and precipitation. The state’s mix of mountains and deserts keeps things interesting, moving from cold, snowy winters to hot, dry summers. Spring and fall bring milder, in-between weather.
Winter Conditions Across Utah
Winter temps vary all over Utah. Salt Lake City usually sees highs from 37-44°F and lows from 23-28°F between December and February. Saint George, down south, stays warmer, with highs of 53-60°F and lows of 32-37°F.
Up in the mountains, like Park City, it gets cold. Highs only hit 25-30°F, and lows drop to 12-16°F.
Snowfall changes a lot depending on where you are:
- Salt Lake City: 3.4 inches in January, 3.2 inches in December
- Park City: 10.6 inches in January, 11.3 inches in December
- Saint George: Hardly any snow, even in winter
The north and mountains get plenty of snow, while the southern deserts mostly miss out. Winter days are short—only about 9.3-9.7 hours of daylight in December.
Spring Weather Transitions
Spring warms things up and brings more rain. March through May, temps rise steadily everywhere. Salt Lake City goes from 54°F in March to 72°F in May.
Saint George heats up from 68°F to 87°F. Park City sees a big jump, from 41°F in March to 60°F in May.
Rain picks up in spring. March and April are the wettest for northern Utah, with Salt Lake City getting 1.3-1.6 inches per month. Snow lingers in the mountains through April—Park City averages 5.5 inches that month.
Spring weather can be all over the place. You’ll get big temperature swings as winter and summer battle it out. Winds pick up too, hitting 6.5-6.6 mph in Salt Lake City.
Hot and Dry Summers
Summer in Utah means heat and dryness. July is the hottest month. Salt Lake City climbs to 92°F during the day and cools to 66°F at night. Saint George gets even hotter—102°F highs and 76°F lows.
Even the mountains warm up. Park City hits 79°F in July, but nights still feel cool at 52°F.
Rain almost disappears in summer:
| Location | July Rainfall |
|---|---|
| Salt Lake City | 0.5 inches |
| Saint George | 0.6 inches |
| Park City | 0.6 inches |
Skies stay clear most of the time. Salt Lake City sees 78% clear days in July and August. Saint George gets even more, at 79-80%.
Humidity barely shows up in summer. Even in July, muggy days are almost nonexistent.
Fall Temperatures and Foliage
Fall brings milder temps and changing weather. From September to November, the heat fades. Salt Lake City cools from 79°F to 50°F.
Saint George drops from 92°F to 63°F. Park City cools fastest, falling from 67°F in September to 38°F in November.
Rain picks up again in fall, with October and November seeing more storms. Salt Lake City gets 1.3-1.4 inches of rain in those months. Snow returns to the high country by November.
Fall might be Utah’s most comfortable season. Skies stay mostly clear in September and October. Days get shorter, down to 9.9 hours by November in the north.
Winds stay pretty moderate in the fall. Temperatures feel just right for getting outside before winter returns.
Monthly Weather in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City’s weather jumps all over the place, from winter lows near 23°F to summer highs pushing 93°F. Most of the moisture comes as winter snow, while summers barely see a drop of rain.
Temperature Fluctuations Each Month
Salt Lake City’s temps change a lot through the year. Winters get cold, but it’s rare for temps to fall under 10°F.
January usually brings the coldest stretch, with lows around 23°F.
Spring slowly warms things up as winter fades out. March and April see steady increases.
Summer delivers the heat. July and August often hit the low 90s°F, but it’s rare to crack 100°F.
Fall cools off from September through November. October usually feels pretty pleasant.
The annual temperature range is about 70 degrees, which gives the city real seasonal variety.
Precipitation and Snowfall Details
Salt Lake City gets most of its precipitation in winter, mostly as snow. Summers are dry, almost parched.
August is the driest month. Rain falls on just 4.8 days, and totals only about 0.2 inches.
Winter snow makes up most of the yearly moisture. Totals can swing a lot from year to year.
Spring and fall bring moderate rain. These seasons bridge the gap between wet winters and dry summers.
The city’s spot in the mountain west shapes clear wet and dry seasons. This affects water supplies and what outdoor activities work best.
Humidity Levels and Wind Speeds
Salt Lake City usually has low humidity, especially in summer when the desert climate keeps things dry.
Winds change with the seasons. ESE winds of 10 to 15 mph show up pretty often.
Summer humidity stays low, which actually makes the heat less oppressive.
Winter brings a bit more humidity, thanks to snow and colder air.
Low humidity and moderate winds usually make for pleasant weather. These factors really shape how the temperature feels.
Regional Weather Variations
Utah’s landscape brings all kinds of weather. North-south temperature differences can top 25°F, and elevation changes make for wild climate shifts even over short distances.
Northern vs. Southern Utah Weather
Northern Utah stays much colder than the south, year-round. Winter highs in the north run from 30°F to 40°F, while southern Utah enjoys milder 45°F to 55°F highs.
Snow piles up in the north—some spots get over 60 inches a year. The south barely sees snow, often less than 10 inches.
Summer flips the script. Northern highs reach 85°F to 90°F in July, but southern Utah often hits 100°F or more.
The growing season is shorter in the north, usually May through September. The south gets a longer frost-free stretch, from April into October.
Mountain vs. Valley Climate Differences
Elevation really changes things. Temperatures drop 3°F to 5°F for every 1,000 feet you climb.
Valleys trap cold air in winter, causing temperature inversions that make valleys colder than the nearby hills. Sometimes, you’ll see 20°F differences just a few miles apart.
Mountains get more precipitation—30 to 60 inches a year. Valleys see much less, usually 10 to 20 inches.
Winds behave differently, too. Mountain areas tend to get stronger, more unpredictable gusts. Valleys are calmer but can trap air for days at a time.
Weather in Major Cities
Salt Lake City sits at 4,330 feet above sea level in the Salt Lake Valley.
Locals know the city for its semi-arid climate, where summers get hot and winters turn cold.
In January, highs usually hit 30°F, while lows drop to about 20°F.
Summer cranks up the heat in Salt Lake City.
July often brings average highs of 90°F and lows around 65°F.
Salt Lake City gets around 16 inches of precipitation each year, which isn’t much.
Provo sits just a bit higher at 4,551 feet.
Temperatures there run 2°F to 3°F cooler than Salt Lake City throughout the year.
Precipitation looks pretty similar, though Provo picks up a bit more snow in winter.
Ogden lies north of Salt Lake City at 4,300 feet.
Winter temperatures in Ogden usually run 2°F to 4°F colder than Salt Lake City.
The city sees more annual snowfall, thanks to its northern spot and how close it is to the Great Salt Lake.
Best Times to Visit Utah for Ideal Weather
Utah’s weather swings a lot by season.
Most travelers find spring and fall the most comfortable.
These shoulder seasons offer mild temperatures and plenty of clear skies, making outdoor exploring actually pleasant.
Optimal Months for Outdoor Activities
April through May is really the sweet spot for outdoor adventures in Utah.
During these months, places like Salt Lake City hit the low 70s, which feels just about perfect.
Spring weather sets up great hiking conditions in national parks.
People can explore Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Arches without dealing with extreme heat or freezing cold.
April brings a few extra perks, too.
Wildflowers start blooming across the state, and snowmelt sends waterfalls and streams into full flow.
September and October also shine for outdoor activities.
Fall temperatures look a lot like spring, with highs hanging out in the 60s and 70s.
These months come with dry, stable weather, so the chance of sudden storms and flash floods drops a lot compared to summer months.
Camping gets especially enjoyable in spring and fall.
Nights stay warm enough for tent camping, and you probably won’t need extreme cold weather gear.
Seasonal Considerations for Travel
Summer months from June through August bring serious heat to much of Utah.
Desert areas regularly hit 100 degrees or even higher during peak summer.
These high temperatures make hiking risky in many spots.
Visitors really do face dangers like heat exhaustion and dehydration when they head out in summer.
Winter weather flips things around with bitter cold.
Salt Lake City and northern Utah drop well below freezing from December through February.
Many park roads and trails close in winter because of snow and ice.
Camping turns unsafe unless you bring specialized cold weather gear.
Monsoon season can mess with summer travel plans across Utah.
Sudden thunderstorms bring flash flood risks, especially in desert canyons and hiking areas.
Spring and fall dodge these weather extremes and keep most attractions open.
Hotels and campgrounds usually run at full service during these shoulder seasons.
Weather Preparation Tips for Each Month
Utah’s wild seasonal changes and big elevation swings make preparation key.
Travelers need to plan their clothing layers carefully, since temperatures can change fast.
Knowing seasonal hazards helps everyone stay safe in both the mountains and the desert.
Recommended Clothing and Gear
Winter months (December-February) call for thermal base layers, insulated winter coats, and waterproof boots that can handle snow.
Temperatures can drop to 21°F, so you’ll want warm hats, gloves, and scarves for anything outdoors.
Spring transition (March-May) means you need layers you can mix and match.
A medium jacket over lighter shirts works well, since temperatures range from 34°F to 74°F.
Bring waterproof rain gear, too—spring showers show up pretty often.
Summer months (June-August) demand breathable fabrics and good sun protection.
Temperatures can reach 92°F, so lightweight shirts, shorts, and a wide-brimmed hat are smart choices.
Evenings can cool off by 20-30 degrees, so tossing in a light jacket is a good idea.
Fall season (September-November) mixes summer and winter gear.
Early fall days stay warm, but nights cool down quickly.
By November, you’ll need winter clothing again as temperatures can drop to 30°F.
Travel Safety and Seasonal Hazards
Mountain elevation changes can throw the weather for a loop, no matter the time of year. If you’re driving up high, pack emergency supplies—blankets, water, and some non-perishable snacks are a must.
Winter driving hazards sneak up on you with black ice and surprise snowstorms in the mountain passes. Utah actually requires snow tires or chains on a lot of roads from October through April, so don’t get caught unprepared.
Summer heat dangers hit hard in the desert, with temperatures easily topping 90°F. If you’re hiking, bring extra water, grab some electrolyte supplements, and honestly, try to stay out of the midday sun from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Flash flood risks show up fast during spring snowmelt or those wild summer thunderstorms. Canyons and low spots can flood before you even realize it, so keep an eye on the weather before you head out.