Utah Weather Radar

Utah Live Weather

Utah Live Weather Radar

Click to toggle between the Utah cloud cover radar map and the Utah precipitation radar map.

Utah Hourly Weather Forecast

Utah 7-Day Weather Forecast

Utah Weather Overview

Utah spans a remarkable range of terrain — from the arid Great Basin and Colorado Plateau to the snow-capped Wasatch Range. This geography drives sharp weather contrasts: semi-arid lowlands bake under desert heat in summer while mountain peaks accumulate heavy snowfall through winter. The NWS Salt Lake City office (WFO SLC) monitors conditions across this varied landscape, where weather can shift dramatically within just a few miles.

Flash flooding is Utah's most dangerous warm-season hazard. Summer monsoon moisture sweeps in from July through September, funneling into canyon drainages with little warning — the 2005 Santa Clara River flood dropped 12 inches of rain in 48 hours, destroying 28+ homes and causing $150 million in damage. Winter brings different risks: the Great Flood of 1983, triggered by record snowmelt, buried the town of Thistle beneath a landslide-dammed lake — the costliest single landslide in U.S. history. Wildfires are a recurring threat; the 2007 Milford Flat Fire burned 363,052 acres, the largest in Utah's recorded history.

Extreme temperatures add to the profile. Record cold reached -50°F at Strawberry Tunnel in 1913, while St. George hit 117°F in July 2021. Statewide annual precipitation averages roughly 12 inches, though the Wasatch Mountains receive significantly more. Checking Utah weather radar before heading into canyon country or onto I-15 during storm season helps you stay ahead of fast-moving threats.

Utah Weather Risks & Safety

Key weather hazards to monitor on the Utah weather radar

Flash Flood Risk

The terrain around Utah funnels rainfall fast — canyon drainages, dry washes, and paved surfaces concentrate water into flows that can sweep away vehicles within minutes. The radar shows real-time rainfall rates, so you can see where the heaviest rain is falling and whether flash flood conditions are building near you. When a flash flood warning hits the Utah area, move to higher ground immediately. Don't wait to see the water rise.

Wildfire Smoke Risk

Wildfire smoke drifts into Utah even when the fires are hundreds of miles away. Upper-level winds carry smoke plumes that turn skies hazy and push the Air Quality Index into unhealthy territory. Radar can't detect smoke directly, but it shows the wind patterns and incoming fronts that determine whether smoke lingers over Utah or gets pushed out. If you have asthma or respiratory issues, check the AQI alongside the radar during wildfire season.

Winter Storm Risk

Winter storms hit Utah when Gulf or Pacific moisture runs into cold Arctic air — the result is some combination of heavy snow, ice, and strong winds. The key thing to watch on radar is the rain-snow line: that boundary determines whether Utah gets rain, freezing rain, or heavy snow, and it can shift by miles in an hour. When a winter storm watch goes up, stock your emergency supplies and plan to stay home.

Extreme Heat Risk

Summers in Utah get dangerously hot — heat indices regularly push past 100°F, and heat waves can last for weeks. When the radar shows clear skies with no storm activity for days, that usually means the heat is building. Outdoor workers, elderly residents, and anyone without reliable AC are most at risk. Stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, and check on neighbors who might be struggling.

How to Use Utah Weather Radar

Follow these steps to get the most from the Utah weather radar data.

Check Current Conditions Statewide

View the real-time weather status at the top of the Utah radar page. Conditions vary dramatically across the state — check temperature and precipitation type before heading into the mountains or southern canyon country.

Watch the Radar Animation

Toggle between precipitation and cloud cover views and play the animation. Summer monsoon storms in Utah build fast — the radar lets you see exactly where thunderstorm cells are forming and which direction they're moving.

Review the Hourly and 7-Day Forecast

Scroll down to check the hourly forecast for incoming storms. Look for flash flood conditions during monsoon season (July–September) and winter storm alerts along the Wasatch Front, where I-15 can become hazardous quickly.

Plan Around Utah Weather

Before hiking in Zion, Arches, or the Wasatch back-country, check the radar for incoming storms. Flash floods can surge through slot canyons with no rain overhead — use the Utah weather radar to see activity upstream.

Who Benefits from Utah Weather Radar

How different people use the Utah radar data

Commuters & Drivers

Check radar before driving I-15 — Wasatch Front storms bring sudden snow and black ice.

Outdoor Enthusiasts

Hikers at Zion and Arches — Utah slot canyons flood fast, check radar before entering.

Event Planners & Families

Outdoor events at Utah's national parks and Red Butte Garden — see storms 30 minutes out.

Outdoor Workers

Construction crews on Wasatch Front projects — summer storms bring lightning and flash floods.

Utah Weather FAQ

Common questions about Utah weather patterns and radar

When is flash flood season in Utah?

Flash flood season in Utah peaks from July through September, driven by the North American monsoon. Moisture from the Gulf of California funnels into the Southwest, triggering intense afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Slot canyons and desert drainages are especially dangerous — flood water can surge through a canyon even when skies overhead are clear. Never enter a slot canyon in Utah without checking the radar and forecast for the entire drainage area.

How much precipitation does Utah receive annually?

Utah is one of the driest states, averaging roughly 12 inches of precipitation per year statewide. Salt Lake City receives about 16 inches annually, while the Wasatch Mountains get considerably more — some peaks exceed 40 inches. The Great Salt Lake Desert and parts of the Colorado Plateau receive fewer than 5 inches per year. Most moisture arrives during winter snowstorms and the summer monsoon season.

What was the worst weather disaster in Utah history?

The Great Flood of 1983 stands as Utah's most catastrophic weather event. Record snowmelt following an exceptionally wet winter triggered widespread flooding and the Thistle landslide, which dammed the Spanish Fork River and buried the entire town of Thistle — the costliest single landslide in U.S. history. Salt Lake City turned State Street into a river. More recently, a September 2020 windstorm produced gusts of 112 mph at the University of Utah, knocking out power for nearly 200,000 customers.

Does Utah experience tornadoes?

Tornadoes are rare in Utah but not unheard of. The most destructive was an F2 tornado that struck downtown Salt Lake City on August 11, 1999, lasting ten minutes, killing one person, injuring 80 others, and causing roughly $170 million in damage. Utah averages around two or three tornadoes per year, typically during summer thunderstorm season. Most form from supercells near the Wasatch Front and mountain valleys.

How is this different from KSL TV weather radar in Utah?

KSL TV provides Utah weather radar alongside broadcast forecasts, expert meteorologist analysis, and breaking storm coverage — a valuable resource during major weather events. This page offers a clean, ad-free alternative focused on interactive RainViewer radar maps and forecast data. Radar imagery updates approximately every 10 minutes, with hourly and 7-day forecasts from Open-Meteo covering the entire state from the Wasatch Front to southern Utah.

Why is Utah weather so extreme and variable?

Utah's weather extremes stem from its geography. The state sits in the Great Basin, bounded by the Sierra Nevada to the west and the Rockies to the east, creating strong rain shadows and isolating weather systems. Elevation ranges from 2,000 feet near St. George to 13,000+ feet in the Uintas, compressing multiple climate zones into one state. Desert valleys amplify heat — St. George hit a record 117°F in July 2021 — while Wasatch peaks hold snow well into June.