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Utah has received above-normal rain for the past 3½ months. Why is it still in drought?

By Deseret News · October 29, 2026 · 1 min read
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A close-up view of cracked, dry earth in a Utah desert landscape with a small, shallow pool of water trapped in a deep fissure, symbolizing the persistent drought despite recent rain.
Photo via AI illustration
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Utah News spotted this story published October 29, 2026 at Deseret News. Full coverage may follow as more sources report.

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s run of moisture over the past three and a half months continues to chip away at its drought. Over 90% of the state remains in drought, but the percentage in severe or worse drought slid from 62% to 51% over the past week, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported on Thursday.

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