Air Quality
The Salt Lake Valley experiences some of the worst winter air quality in the nation due to temperature inversions trapping pollutants.
Monitored days with good air quality
1990–2025U.S. EPA AirData, Annual AQI by County, all monitored Utah counties.
Monitored days unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse
1990–2025U.S. EPA AirData, Annual AQI by County (AQI above 100).
- •Salt Lake City's winter inversions can trap smog for over a week at a time.
Wildfires
Utah experiences hundreds of wildfires annually, with dry conditions and expanding wildland-urban interface development increasing fire risk.
Drought
The Great Salt Lake has shrunk to record-low levels in recent years due to drought and water diversion, raising major environmental concerns.
Area in drought (D1–D4), yearly average
2000–2025U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC / USDA / NOAA), average of weekly maps.
Area in extreme or exceptional drought (D3–D4)
2000–2025U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC / USDA / NOAA), average of weekly maps.
- •The Great Salt Lake has lost about two-thirds of its historical surface area.
Water Usage
Agriculture and municipal use account for most of Utah's water withdrawals, with the state facing chronic water stress as the driest state in the nation.
- •Utah is the driest state in the country by average precipitation.
Emissions
Utah's per-capita CO2 emissions remain above the U.S. average due to coal-fired power and heavy industry, though they have declined since 2010.
Energy-related CO₂ emissions
1970–2021U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, all sectors and fuels (FRED EMISSCO2TOTVTTTOUTA).
Transportation CO₂ emissions
1970–2021U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, transportation sector (FRED EMISSCO2TOTVTCTOUTA).
| Indicator | Utah | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| CO2 per capita (tons) | 20 | 14.5 |
Climate Indicators
Utah's climate is arid to semi-arid, with average annual precipitation of just 12-13 inches, making it highly sensitive to drought cycles.
Average annual temperature
1895–2025NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate at a Glance, statewide January–December average.
Annual precipitation
1895–2025NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate at a Glance, statewide January–December total.