Snowpack

This week, Tom Williams talks with Salt Lake Tribune reporters Leia Larsen, Tony Semerad, and Emily Anderson Stern about opinions surrounding Box Elder county's recently approved data center.

In other news, a Utah Supreme Court Justice has resigned after facing scrutiny from Republicans about an alleged conflict of interest. And, an emergency drought declaration could come this month.

In other news, Utah gas prices jumped 20 cents in the last week. And, don't panic if you see smoke along Great Salt Lake's eastern shore this weekend — it's probably not a wildfire.

Just 1.4 million acre feet of Colorado River water is expected to reach Lake Powell through July. That's less than a quarter of what's considered normal.

In other news, Salt Lake City is entering a mild water shortage advisory — and other cities could follow in the coming months, with heat worsening Utah's already poor snowpack.

Snowpack is often described as the West's largest natural reservoir — and the way forests are managed can affect how much of that snow becomes part of the water supply, according to new research.

Winter snow has been a no-show in Utah and much of the West this season. That lack of snowpack could increase the cost of growing hay, which in turn could raise prices for local dairy farmers.

Mountain West states rely heavily on mountain snow to slowly melt and replenish rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater through spring and summer.

Bizarre winter weather conditions could disrupt water supply and seasonal cues for plant growth.

Each snowflake individually seems insignificant, but together, relentless by the millions, snow crystals pile up. They cover the ground, flock the trees, and settle into the gaps of my jacket. Their strength is in their numbers and their ability to bond with each other.