Weather & Climate in Salt Lake City, UT

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Salt Lake City experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. The area gets 315 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 27.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 77.6 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 54. 41% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 4,226 feet.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 83°F Jul (29°C)

Annual Average	52.2°F
	3% below US avg
January Average	30°F (-1°C)
July Average	83°F (29°C)
Sunny Days	315 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,226 ft (1,288 m)
Area	111.7 sq mi (289.3 km²)
Population Density	1,839/sq mi
Coordinates	40.7769°N, 111.9310°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Salt Lake County County
Nearest Airport	Salt Lake City International (SLC) 3 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 27.0"

29% below US avg

Snowfall 77.6"

Wettest Month (Apr) 2.20"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.79"

Air Quality

AQI Median	54.0
Rating	Moderate
Good Days %	41.0%
Unhealthy Days	43

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	98.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	66.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Earthquake	Relatively High
Wildfire	Relatively High
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Very High
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Low
Coastal Flood	No Rating
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very High

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

425 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.7.

Mar 18, 2020	5 km NNE of Magna, Utah	M5.7	13 km	12 km
Apr 15, 2010	9 km NE of Randolph, Utah	M4.9	126 km	10 km
Mar 18, 2020	6 km NNE of Magna, Utah	M4.6	12 km	9 km
Mar 18, 2020	5 km NE of Magna, Utah	M4.6	11 km	11 km
May 5, 2024	16 km SW of Thatcher, Utah	M4.4	98 km	7 km
Apr 17, 2003	6 km SSW of Levan, Utah	M4.2	142 km	1 km
Apr 16, 2020	4 km NE of Magna, Utah	M4.2	12 km	10 km
Mar 16, 1992	6 km S of Herriman, Utah	M4.2	37 km	12 km
Mar 18, 2020	1 km NNW of Magna, Utah	M4.2	16 km	9 km
Apr 15, 2020	4 km NE of Magna, Utah	M4.2	12 km	9 km
Mar 7, 2000	7 km N of Helper, Utah	M4.2	146 km	-3 km
May 25, 2016	15 km NNE of Tabiona, Utah	M4.0	113 km	16 km
Mar 18, 2020	4 km NNE of Magna, Utah	M4.0	13 km	7 km
Jun 3, 2009	5 km WNW of Riverside, Utah	M4.0	117 km	9 km
Mar 23, 2020	8 km NNE of Magna, Utah	M3.9	10 km	10 km
Mar 18, 2020	4 km NNE of Magna, Utah	M3.9	13 km	9 km
May 1, 2025	4 km WNW of Independence, Utah	M3.9	74 km	14 km
May 4, 2024	16 km SW of Thatcher, Utah	M3.9	98 km	6 km
Sep 24, 2019	5 km ENE of Howell, Utah	M3.9	122 km	7 km
Mar 18, 2020	6 km NE of Magna, Utah	M3.9	10 km	10 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

49 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 fatality, 96 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Aug 11, 1999	EF2	7 km	4.3 mi	1
Aug 14, 1968	EF2	54 km	1.5 mi	0
Feb 9, 1965	EF2	16 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 3, 1963	EF2	12 km	2.0 mi	0
Sep 2, 2021	EF1	9 km	2.1 mi	0
Sep 22, 2016	EF1	44 km	2.9 mi	0
Aug 20, 1998	EF1	62 km	0.1 mi	0
May 29, 1996	EF1	58 km	1.3 mi	0
Jun 2, 1993	EF1	6 km	1.0 mi	0
May 3, 1993	EF1	36 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 23, 1992	EF1	36 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 25, 1991	EF1	35 km	10.0 mi	0
Jul 8, 1989	EF1	20 km	0.2 mi	0
Mar 2, 1989	EF1	17 km	0.2 mi	0
Jan 10, 1989	EF1	22 km	0.2 mi	0
Dec 2, 1970	EF1	51 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 14, 1968	EF1	4 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 17, 1966	EF1	76 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 9, 1965	EF1	55 km	0.4 mi	0
May 28, 2018	EF0	98 km	0.3 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.6 m (12 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1909	UTAH	Earthquake	3.6 m	—	131 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: POLE CREEK (102,426 acres, 2018).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2018	POLE CREEK	102,426	95 km
2012	DALLAS CANYON	43,386	87 km
2009	BIG POLE	41,579	64 km
2000	SALT LAKE DESERT COMPLEX (ARAGONITE)	39,825	86 km
2001	UNNAMED	38,647	97 km
1995	REDLAM	35,405	83 km
2017	DAVIS	35,071	86 km
1996	DAVIS KNOLL COMPLEX (DAVIS KNOLL)	34,843	87 km
1995	PUDDLE VALLEY	31,249	82 km
2013	PATCH SPRINGS	29,562	72 km
2007	MONARCH	25,046	79 km
2007	QUINCY	24,776	100 km
2012	FAUST	22,155	87 km
2017	CEDAR MOUNTAIN	21,388	86 km
2018	BALD MOUNTAIN	21,016	97 km
1998	TEKOI	19,933	88 km
2005	SALLY	19,726	89 km
1994	POSTHOLLOW	18,234	90 km
1996	SILVER HILL	17,137	73 km
2007	KIMBELL	16,949	56 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	30°F (-1°C)	1.5 in	Coldest
February	35°F (2°C)	1.5 in
March	42°F (6°C)	2.0 in
April	50°F (10°C)	2.2 in	Wettest
May	59°F (15°C)	2.1 in
June	69°F (21°C)	0.9 in
July	83°F (29°C)	0.8 in	Warmest, Driest
August	76°F (24°C)	0.9 in
September	66°F (19°C)	1.5 in
October	53°F (12°C)	1.8 in
November	40°F (4°C)	1.7 in
December	31°F (-1°C)	1.5 in

Salt Lake City has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 30°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.2 inches, with April being the wettest month (2.2") and July the driest (0.8").

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