Weather & Climate in South Salt Lake, UT

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

South Salt Lake enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 316 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 17.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 49.0 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 4,246 feet.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	55.8°F
	3% above US avg
January Average	34°F (1°C)
July Average	81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	316 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,246 ft (1,294 m)
Area	6.9 sq mi (17.9 km²)
Population Density	3,786/sq mi
Coordinates	40.7056°N, 111.8986°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Salt Lake County County
Nearest Airport	Salt Lake City International (SLC) 7 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.7"

53% below US avg

Snowfall 49.0"

Wettest Month (Apr) 2.20"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.79"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

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

464 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	16 km	12 km
Apr 15, 2010	9 km NE of Randolph, Utah	M4.9	131 km	10 km
Mar 18, 2020	6 km NNE of Magna, Utah	M4.6	16 km	9 km
Mar 18, 2020	5 km NE of Magna, Utah	M4.6	14 km	11 km
May 5, 2024	16 km SW of Thatcher, Utah	M4.4	106 km	7 km
Apr 17, 2003	6 km SSW of Levan, Utah	M4.2	134 km	1 km
Apr 16, 2020	4 km NE of Magna, Utah	M4.2	14 km	10 km
Mar 18, 2020	1 km NNW of Magna, Utah	M4.2	18 km	9 km
Mar 16, 1992	6 km S of Herriman, Utah	M4.2	30 km	12 km
Apr 15, 2020	4 km NE of Magna, Utah	M4.2	14 km	9 km
Jun 29, 2014	6 km SE of Spring City, Utah	M4.2	146 km	9 km
Mar 7, 2000	7 km N of Helper, Utah	M4.2	139 km	-3 km
May 25, 2016	15 km NNE of Tabiona, Utah	M4.0	108 km	16 km
Mar 18, 2020	4 km NNE of Magna, Utah	M4.0	16 km	7 km
Jun 3, 2009	5 km WNW of Riverside, Utah	M4.0	125 km	9 km
May 1, 2025	4 km WNW of Independence, Utah	M3.9	66 km	14 km
Mar 18, 2020	4 km NNE of Magna, Utah	M3.9	16 km	9 km
Mar 23, 2020	8 km NNE of Magna, Utah	M3.9	15 km	10 km
May 4, 2024	16 km SW of Thatcher, Utah	M3.9	106 km	6 km
Sep 24, 2019	5 km ENE of Howell, Utah	M3.9	130 km	7 km

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

Tornado History

48 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	4 km	4.3 mi	1
Aug 14, 1968	EF2	62 km	1.5 mi	0
Feb 9, 1965	EF2	17 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 3, 1963	EF2	20 km	2.0 mi	0
Sep 2, 2021	EF1	17 km	2.1 mi	0
Sep 22, 2016	EF1	52 km	2.9 mi	0
Aug 20, 1998	EF1	67 km	0.1 mi	0
May 29, 1996	EF1	66 km	1.3 mi	0
Jun 2, 1993	EF1	14 km	1.0 mi	0
May 3, 1993	EF1	35 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 23, 1992	EF1	44 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 25, 1991	EF1	33 km	10.0 mi	0
Jul 8, 1989	EF1	12 km	0.2 mi	0
Mar 2, 1989	EF1	17 km	0.2 mi	0
Jan 10, 1989	EF1	14 km	0.2 mi	0
Dec 2, 1970	EF1	43 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 14, 1968	EF1	7 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 17, 1966	EF1	67 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 9, 1965	EF1	47 km	0.4 mi	0
May 28, 2018	EF0	90 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	—	139 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Black Rock Desert (200 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Black Rock Desert	Volcanic field	1,800 m (5,906 ft)	1290	200 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

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	86 km
2012	DALLAS CANYON	43,386	89 km
2009	BIG POLE	41,579	65 km
2000	SALT LAKE DESERT COMPLEX (ARAGONITE)	39,825	88 km
1994	SIMPSON BT	36,917	100 km
1995	REDLAM	35,405	85 km
2017	DAVIS	35,071	83 km
1996	DAVIS KNOLL COMPLEX (DAVIS KNOLL)	34,843	84 km
1995	PUDDLE VALLEY	31,249	86 km
2018	COAL HOLLOW	30,239	100 km
2013	PATCH SPRINGS	29,562	71 km
2000	OLDROYD COMPLEX (MONA WEST)	28,774	98 km
2007	MONARCH	25,046	84 km
2007	QUINCY	24,776	100 km
2012	FAUST	22,155	83 km
2017	CEDAR MOUNTAIN	21,388	88 km
2018	BALD MOUNTAIN	21,016	89 km
1998	TEKOI	19,933	87 km
2005	SALLY	19,726	95 km
1994	POSTHOLLOW	18,234	87 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	34°F (1°C)	1.5 in
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	81°F (27°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	Coldest

South Salt Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 31°F in December to 81°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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