It’s Now a La Niña Year And Here’s What It Means for Utah Weather

We are now officially in a La Niña year which means colder water in the Pacific that affects global weather. Here’s what that weather pattern will look like in Utah this year when it comes to snow and rain. 

Weather Pattern Will Likely do More of the Same 

It was announced that it was a La Niña year back on Sept 18th. Meaning the middle part of the Pacific Ocean dropped 0.5 degrees below its normal temperature. This will bring the polar jet stream lower, and the Pacific Jet stream moves to the southwest. 

For Utah, the most northern parts will experience cool temperatures and more moisture while the middle is split between the two. Unfortunately for the far south part of the state, it means more warm dry weather in the future. 

This Years Pattern Won’t Last Long 

The good news is this isn’t a strong La Niña year. “At this time, La Niña is expected to remain weak,” is how the National Weather Service said it when announcing the weather pattern and that it wouldn't last much past winter.  

Because it is weaker this year, local weather patterns can overrule the effects of the cool water in the Pacific. It wouldn't take much to push Utah and the west towards a more normal water year. This means there is hope for the dry parts of the beehive state.

Read More: Winter Brings Static Electricity To Southern Utah’s Dry Air

Last year was a neutral year for weather in the Pacific. There was a unusual three year La Niña event before that lasted from 2020 to 2023.