Utah is experiencing a shift toward cooler autumn weather following a period of unseasonably warm temperatures, even as the state continues to face statewide drought conditions. While recent temperatures in Salt Lake City have trended above normal, water officials are urging residents to adjust irrigation habits as the hydrologic water year approaches its end on September 30.
Temperature Trends and Shifts
The transition to cooler weather follows a warm start to September 2026. In Salt Lake City, the monthly mean temperature has reached 74.4 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 3.4 degrees above the September normal of 68.4 degrees Fahrenheit. The highest temperature recorded in the city so far this month was 93 degrees Fahrenheit on September 13.
Autumn Weather Forecast
Meteorologists have noted a general trend toward cooler weather for the week of September 14 through September 20. While a monsoonal surge was expected to bring the threat of showers and storms to southeast Utah during the midweek period, forecaster Evan Thayer noted that no cold troughs capable of bringing mountain snow had appeared as of mid-September.
Ongoing Drought and Reservoir Levels
Despite the cooling air, the Utah Division of Water Resources reported on September 17 that 100% of the state remains in some form of drought. Statewide reservoir storage is currently averaging 50% full, which is 9% lower than normal for this time of year and 13% lower than the same period last year.
Irrigation and Conservation Advice
Water officials are advising residents to adjust irrigation schedules to prevent waste. Joel Williams, director at the Division of Water Resources, stated that as daytime and evening temperatures cool, landscape water requirements decrease significantly. Williams advised that irrigation timers should be adjusted down or turned off to avoid wasteful overwatering on summer schedules.
Regional Water Management Updates
Specific regional challenges continue to impact water availability. The Davis and Weber Counties Canal Company shut down its secondary water systems on September 15, citing a hot, dry summer and smaller than normal snowpack and runoff. Additionally, the water level at Palisade State Park has reached 4%, resulting in the closure of the boat ramp to protect visitors and property.
Transition to the New Water Year
The current water year, which tracks precipitation totals from October 1 through September 30, is nearing its conclusion. As the state prepares for the new water year, water managers are assessing cumulative precipitation and reservoir storage to establish a baseline for the upcoming winter snowpack season.
Recent Local Storm Activity
Local weather patterns also include localized storm events. A preliminary report from the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City recorded a hail event in Midway on the evening of September 17, 2026, involving 1.50-inch hail.
