Geography of Utah#Climate

Utah covers an area of {{convert|84899|sqmi|abbr=on}}. It is one of the Four Corners states and is bordered by Idaho in the north, Wyoming in the north and east, by Colorado in the east, at a single point by New Mexico to the southeast, by Arizona in the south, and by Nevada in the west. Only three U.S. states (Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming) have exclusively latitude and longitude lines as boundaries.

The northern border with Idaho is inherited from the Adams–Onís Treaty of 1819, which defined the boundary between the Louisiana Purchase and New Spain. The large size of the proposed State of Deseret was controversial. The Compromise of 1850 gave the Utah Territory five degrees of latitude, cutting the land east of the new state of California roughly in half. The creation of the Colorado Territory in 1861 moved Utah's eastern border from the Rocky Mountains to the 109th western meridian, to give Colorado Territory seven degrees of longitude (like Oregon previously had and four more western states would later get).{{cite book |chapter=Colorado |title=How the States Got Their Shapes |author=Mark Stein |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-06-143138-8}}

To secure the booming Comstock Lode area in western Utah Territory for the Union during the American Civil War against the uncertain loyalties of the Mormons of Utah, Congress created the Nevada Territory in 1861. The Nevada Territory's boundary with the Utah Territory was moved from the 116th to the 115th meridian as more mineral deposits were discovered. Congress moved it to the 114th meridian when Nevada was granted statehood, in order to include access to Colorado River tributaries.

The northwestern notch in the Utah Territory was created with the formation of the Nebraska Territory in 1854. When the Wyoming Territory was created in 1868, the notch was expanded to give Wyoming seven degrees of longitude. The notch area is separated from Salt Lake City by the Uinta Mountains and the Wasatch Range, making it easier for Wyoming authorities to administer. Anti-Mormon sentiment may have also led to this area being assigned to Wyoming. It contained coal fields, various waterways, and parts of the Oregon Trail, California Trail, Overland Trail, transcontinental telegraph, stagecoach route, and future transcontinental railroad.{{cite book |chapter=Utah |title=How the States Got Their Shapes |author=Mark Stein |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-06-143138-8}}

One of Utah's defining characteristics is the variety of its terrain. Running down the middle of the state's northern third is the Wasatch Range, which rises to heights of almost {{convert|12000|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level. Utah is home to world-renowned ski resorts made popular by light, fluffy snow and winter storms that regularly dump up to three feet of it overnight. In the state's northeastern section, running east to west, are the Uinta Mountains, which rise to heights of over {{convert|13,000|ft|m}}. The highest point in the state, Kings Peak, at {{convert|13,528|ft|m}},{{cite web|date=April 29, 2005 |url=http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html#Highest |title=Elevations and Distances in the United States |publisher=United States Geological Survey |access-date=November 8, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061102095332/http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html |archive-date=November 2, 2006 }} lies within the Uinta Mountains.

At the western base of the Wasatch Range is the Wasatch Front, a series of valleys and basins that are home to the most populous parts of the state. It stretches approximately from Brigham City at the north end to Nephi at the south end. Approximately 75 percent of the state's population lives in this corridor, and population growth is rapid.

Western Utah is mostly arid desert with a basin and range topography. Small mountain ranges and rugged terrain punctuate the landscape. The Bonneville Salt Flats are an exception, being comparatively flat as a result of once forming the bed of ancient Lake Bonneville. Great Salt Lake, Utah Lake, Sevier Lake, and Rush Lake are all remnants of this ancient freshwater lake,{{cite book|title=The Great Salt Lake|last=Morgan|first=Dale L.|publisher=University of Utah Press|location=Salt Lake City|year=1947|page=22|isbn=978-0-87480-478-2}} which once covered most of the eastern Great Basin. West of the Great Salt Lake, stretching to the Nevada border, lies the arid Great Salt Lake Desert. One exception to this aridity is Snake Valley, which is (relatively) lush due to large springs and wetlands fed from groundwater derived from snow melt in the Snake Range, Deep Creek Range, and other tall mountains to the west of Snake Valley. Great Basin National Park is just over the Nevada state line in the southern Snake Range. One of western Utah's most impressive, but least visited attractions is Notch Peak, the tallest limestone cliff in North America, located west of Delta.

Much of the scenic southern and southeastern landscape (specifically the Colorado Plateau region) is sandstone, specifically Kayenta sandstone and Navajo sandstone. The Colorado River and its tributaries wind their way through the sandstone, creating some of the world's most striking and wild terrain (the area around the confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers was the last to be mapped in the lower 48 United States). Wind and rain have also sculpted the soft sandstone over millions of years. Canyons, gullies, arches, pinnacles, buttes, bluffs, and mesas are the common sights throughout south-central and southeast Utah.

This terrain is the central feature of protected state and federal parks such as Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion national parks, Cedar Breaks, Grand Staircase–Escalante, Hovenweep, and Natural Bridges national monuments, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (site of the popular tourist destination, Lake Powell), Dead Horse Point and Goblin Valley state parks, and Monument Valley. The Navajo Nation also extends into southeastern Utah. Southeastern Utah is also punctuated by the remote, but lofty La Sal, Abajo, and Henry mountain ranges.

Eastern (northern quarter) Utah is a high-elevation area covered mostly by plateaus and basins, particularly the Tavaputs Plateau and San Rafael Swell, which remain mostly inaccessible, and the Uinta Basin, where the majority of eastern Utah's population lives. Economies are dominated by mining, oil shale, oil, and natural gas-drilling, ranching, and recreation. Much of eastern Utah is part of the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation. The most popular destination within northeastern Utah is Dinosaur National Monument near Vernal.

Southwestern Utah is the lowest and hottest spot in Utah. It is known as Utah's Dixie because early settlers were able to grow some cotton there. Beaverdam Wash in far southwestern Utah is the lowest point in the state, at {{convert|2,000|ft|m}}. The northernmost portion of the Mojave Desert is also located in this area. Dixie is quickly becoming a popular recreational and retirement destination, and the population is growing rapidly. Although the Wasatch Mountains end at Mount Nebo near Nephi, a complex series of mountain ranges extends south from the southern end of the range down the spine of Utah. Just north of Dixie and east of Cedar City is the state's highest ski resort, Brian Head.

Like most of the western and southwestern states, the federal government owns much of the land in Utah. Over 70 percent of the land is either BLM land, Utah State Trustland, or U.S. National Forest, U.S. National Park, U.S. National Monument, National Recreation Area or U.S. Wilderness Area.{{cite news|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0304/Utah-fights-for-states-rights-with-land-push|title=Utah fights for states' rights with land push|last=Farrell|first=Michael B.|newspaper=Christian Science Monitor|date=March 4, 2014|access-date=October 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020072312/http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0304/Utah-fights-for-states-rights-with-land-push|archive-date=October 20, 2014|url-status=live}} Utah is the only state where every county contains some national forest.{{Cite web |url=https://www.utah.gov/governor/docs/OutdoorRecreationVision.pdf |title=The state of Utah outdoor recreation vision. |date=January 2013 |access-date=October 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111174839/https://www.utah.gov/governor/docs/OutdoorRecreationVision.pdf |archive-date=November 11, 2018 |url-status=live }}

• Idaho (north)
• Wyoming (east and north)
• Colorado (east)
• Nevada (west)
• Arizona (south)

File:Köppen Climate Types Utah.png of Utah, using 1991-2020 climate normals.]]

Utah features a dry, semi-arid to desert climate,{{Cite web |date=2021-12-14 |title=Why is Utah so dry? - 2022 |url=https://theflatbkny.com/united-states/why-is-utah-so-dry/ |access-date=2022-06-10 |website=The Flat |language=en-US}} although its many mountains feature a large variety of climates, with the highest points in the Uinta Mountains being above the timberline. The dry weather is a result of the state's location in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada in California. The eastern half of the state lies in the rain shadow of the Wasatch Mountains. The primary source of precipitation for the state is the Pacific Ocean, with the state usually lying in the path of large Pacific storms from October to May. In summer, the state, especially southern and eastern Utah, lies in the path of monsoon moisture from the Gulf of California.

Most of the lowland areas receive less than {{convert|12|in|mm|0}} of precipitation annually, although the I-15 corridor, including the densely populated Wasatch Front, receives approximately {{convert|15|in|mm|0}}. The Great Salt Lake Desert is the driest area of the state, with less than {{convert|5|in|mm|0}}. Snowfall is common in all but the far southern valleys. Although St. George receives only about {{convert|3|in|mm|0}} per year, Salt Lake City sees about {{convert|60|in|mm|0}}, enhanced by the lake-effect snow from the Great Salt Lake, which increases snowfall totals to the south, southeast, and east of the lake.

Some areas of the Wasatch Range in the path of the lake-effect receive up to {{convert|500|in|mm|0}} per year. This micro climate of enhanced snowfall from the Great Salt Lake spans the entire proximity of the lake. The cottonwood canyons adjacent to Salt Lake City are located in the right position to receive more precipitation from the lake.{{cite book|last1=Steenburgh|first1=Jim|title=Secrets of the Greatest Snow on Earth|date=November 14, 2014|publisher=Utah State University Press|isbn=978-0874219500|edition=1}} The consistently deep powder snow led Utah's ski industry to adopt the slogan "the Greatest Snow on Earth" in the 1980s. In the winter, temperature inversions are a common phenomenon across Utah's low basins and valleys, leading to thick haze and fog that can last for weeks at a time, especially in the Uintah Basin. Although at other times of year its air quality is good, winter inversions give Salt Lake City some of the worst wintertime pollution in the country.

Previous studies have indicated a widespread decline in snowpack over Utah accompanied by a decline in the snow–precipitation ratio while anecdotal evidence claims have been put forward that measured changes in Utah's snowpack are spurious and do not reflect actual change. A 2012 study[http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/abs/10.1175/JCLI-D-11-00084.1 2012 study] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512142725/http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/abs/10.1175/JCLI-D-11-00084.1 |date=May 12, 2017 }}, journals.ametsoc.org. found that the proportion of winter (January–March) precipitation falling as snow has decreased by nine percent during the last half century, a combined result from a significant increase in rainfall and a minor decrease in snowfall. Meanwhile, observed snow depth across Utah has decreased and is accompanied by consistent decreases in snow cover and surface albedo. Weather systems with the potential to produce precipitation in Utah have decreased in number with those producing snowfall decreasing at a considerably greater rate.Gillies et al. (2012) http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/abs/10.1175/JCLI-D-11-00084.1 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512142725/http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/abs/10.1175/JCLI-D-11-00084.1 |date=May 12, 2017 }}

File:RoseParkStreets.jpg]]

Utah's temperatures are extreme, with cold temperatures in winter due to its elevation, and very hot summers statewide (with the exception of mountain areas and high mountain valleys). Utah is usually protected from major blasts of cold air by mountains lying north and east of the state, although major Arctic blasts can occasionally reach the state. Average January high temperatures range from around {{convert|30|F|C|0}} in some northern valleys to almost {{convert|55|F|C|0}} in St. George.

Temperatures dropping below {{convert|0|F|C|0}} should be expected on occasion in most areas of the state most years, although some areas see it often (for example, the town of Randolph averages about fifty days per year with temperatures that low). In July, average highs range from about {{convert|85|to|100|F|C|0}}. However, the low humidity and high elevation typically leads to large temperature variations, leading to cool nights most summer days. The record high temperature in Utah was {{convert|118|F|C|0}}, recorded south of St. George on July 4, 2007,{{cite news |last= Fidel |first= Steve |url= https://www.deseret.com/2007/7/6/20028390/utahns-feeling-hot-hot-hot/ |title= Utahns feeling hot, hot, hot |newspaper= Deseret Morning News |date= July 6, 2007 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141104175045/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/680196797/Utahns-feeling-hot-hot-hot.html |archive-date= November 4, 2014 }} and the record low was {{convert|-69|F|C|0}}, recorded at Peter Sinks in the Bear River Mountains of northern Utah on February 1, 1985.{{cite news|url=http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=341&sid=148094|title=Utah Cold Weather Facts—Snow and Winter Storms|work=KSL-TV |access-date=October 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022004925/http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=341&sid=148094|archive-date=October 22, 2014|url-status=live}} However, the record low for an inhabited location is {{convert|-49|F|C|0}} at Woodruff on December 12, 1932.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ut9595|title=WOODRUFF, UTAH (429595)|website=wrcc.dri.edu|access-date=October 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630174716/http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ut9595|archive-date=June 30, 2015|url-status=live}}

Utah, like most of the western United States, has few days of thunderstorms. On average there are fewer than 40 days of thunderstorm activity during the year, although these storms can be briefly intense when they do occur. They are most likely to occur during monsoon season from about mid-July through mid-September, especially in southern and eastern Utah. Dry lightning strikes and the general dry weather often spark wildfires in summer, while intense thunderstorms can lead to flash flooding, especially in the rugged terrain of southern Utah. Although spring is the wettest season in northern Utah, late summer is the wettest period for much of the south and east of the state. Tornadoes are uncommon in Utah, with an average of two striking the state yearly, rarely higher than EF1 intensity.[http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/img/climate/research/tornado/small/avgt5304.gif Annual Average Number of Tornadoes, 1953–2004] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016174155/http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/img/climate/research/tornado/small/avgt5304.gif |date=October 16, 2011 }}. NOAA National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved March 20, 2008.

One exception of note, however, was the unprecedented Salt Lake City Tornado that moved directly across downtown Salt Lake City on August 11, 1999. The F2 tornado killed one person, injured sixty others, and caused approximately $170 million in damage;{{cite web |last1=Brough |first1=Clayton |last2=Brown |first2=Dan |last3=James |first3=David |last4=Pope |first4=Dan |last5=Summy |first5=Steve |title=Salt Lake City Tornado - August 11, 1999 |url=http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/slc/climate/tornado.php |website=NOAA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614191624/http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/slc/climate/tornado.php |archive-date=June 14, 2012}} it was the second strongest tornado in the state behind an F3 on August 11, 1993, in the Uinta Mountains.{{cite web |last1=Dunn |first1=Larry |last2=Alder |first2=William |last3=McClung |first3=Tim |title=Western Region Technical Attachment No. 94-20: The High Uinta Tornado |url=https://www.weather.gov/media/wrh/online_publications/TAs/ta9420.pdf |website=NOAA |access-date=October 7, 2021 |date=June 21, 1994}} The only other reported tornado fatality in Utah's history was a 7-year-old girl who was killed while camping in Summit County on July 6, 1884. The last tornado of above (E)F0 intensity occurred on September 8, 2002, when an F2 tornado hit Manti.

{{SLC weatherbox}}

{{Weather box

|location = St. George (1991–2020 normals)

|single line = Yes

|collapsed = Yes

|width = auto

|Jan high F = 55.2

|Feb high F = 60.1

|Mar high F = 69.7

|Apr high F = 76.4

|May high F = 86.3

|Jun high F = 97.4

|Jul high F = 102.5

|Aug high F = 101.0

|Sep high F = 93.1

|Oct high F = 79.8

|Nov high F = 64.7

|Dec high F = 53.9

|year high F= 77.0

|Jan mean F = 42.8

|Feb mean F = 47.4

|Mar mean F = 55.5

|Apr mean F = 61.9

|May mean F = 71.6

|Jun mean F = 81.8

|Jul mean F = 87.8

|Aug mean F = 86.5

|Sep mean F = 78.0

|Oct mean F = 64.5

|Nov mean F = 50.8

|Dec mean F = 42.1

|year mean F= 63.1

|Jan low F = 30.7

|Feb low F = 34.7

|Mar low F = 41.3

|Apr low F = 47.4

|May low F = 56.7

|Jun low F = 66.1

|Jul low F = 73.2

|Aug low F = 72.0

|Sep low F = 62.6

|Oct low F = 49.2

|Nov low F = 36.9

|Dec low F = 30.3

|year low F= 49.2

|Jan record high F = 72

|Feb record high F = 84

|Mar record high F = 91

|Apr record high F = 100

|May record high F = 108

|Jun record high F = 115

|Jul record high F = 118

|Aug record high F = 113

|Sep record high F = 112

|Oct record high F = 107

|Nov record high F = 88

|Dec record high F = 75

|year record high F= 118

|Jan record low F = −11

|Feb record low F = 1

|Mar record low F = 12

|Apr record low F = 18

|May record low F = 20

|Jun record low F = 35

|Jul record low F = 41

|Aug record low F = 43

|Sep record low F = 25

|Oct record low F = 20

|Nov record low F = 4

|Dec record low F = −4

|year record low F= −11

| Jan avg record high F = 65

| Feb avg record high F = 70

| Mar avg record high F = 81

| Apr avg record high F = 90

| May avg record high F = 98

| Jun avg record high F = 106

| Jul avg record high F = 110

| Aug avg record high F = 107

| Sep avg record high F = 103

| Oct avg record high F = 92

| Nov avg record high F = 76

| Dec avg record high F = 64

| year avg record high F = 110

| Jan avg record low F = 21

| Feb avg record low F = 25

| Mar avg record low F = 31

| Apr avg record low F = 38

| May avg record low F = 45

| Jun avg record low F = 55

| Jul avg record low F = 66

| Aug avg record low F = 64

| Sep avg record low F = 52

| Oct avg record low F = 38

| Nov avg record low F = 27

| Dec avg record low F = 21

| year avg record low F = 19

|Jan precipitation inch = 1.11

|Feb precipitation inch = 1.39

|Mar precipitation inch = 0.90

|Apr precipitation inch = 0.61

|May precipitation inch = 0.37

|Jun precipitation inch = 0.18

|Jul precipitation inch = 0.54

|Aug precipitation inch = 0.75

|Sep precipitation inch = 0.54

|Oct precipitation inch = 0.65

|Nov precipitation inch = 0.66

|Dec precipitation inch = 0.77

|year precipitation inch= 10.08

| Jan snow inch = 0.4

| Feb snow inch = 0.5

| Mar snow inch = 0.2

| Apr snow inch = 0.0

| May snow inch = 0.0

| Jun snow inch = 0.0

| Jul snow inch = 0.0

| Aug snow inch = 0.0

| Sep snow inch = 0.0

| Oct snow inch = 0.0

| Nov snow inch = trace

| Dec snow inch = 0.1

|year snow inch = 1.4

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

| Jan precipitation days = 6

| Feb precipitation days = 6

| Mar precipitation days = 5

| Apr precipitation days = 4

| May precipitation days = 3

| Jun precipitation days = 1

| Jul precipitation days = 3

| Aug precipitation days = 3

| Sep precipitation days = 2

| Oct precipitation days = 3

| Nov precipitation days = 3

| Dec precipitation days = 5

|year precipitation days = 44

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

| Jan snow days = 0

| Feb snow days = 0

| Mar snow days = 0

| Apr snow days = 0

| May snow days = 0

| Jun snow days = 0

| Jul snow days = 0

| Aug snow days = 0

| Sep snow days = 0

| Oct snow days = 0

| Nov snow days = 0

| Dec snow days = 0

|year snow days = 1

|source 1 = NOAA (extremes 1893–present){{cite web|url=https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=slc|title=NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|access-date = July 18, 2013}}|date=December 2014}}

{{Weather box

|location = Cedar City (1971 to 2000)

|single line = Yes

|collapsed = Yes

|width = auto

|Jan record high F = 70

|Feb record high F = 73

|Mar record high F = 77

|Apr record high F = 83

|May record high F = 96

|Jun record high F = 101

|Jul record high F = 105

|Aug record high F = 100

|Sep record high F = 97

|Oct record high F = 88

|Nov record high F = 75

|Dec record high F = 68

|Jan high F = 41.8

|Feb high F = 46.7

|Mar high F = 53.5

|Apr high F = 61.2

|May high F = 71.1

|Jun high F = 83.1

|Jul high F = 89.4

|Aug high F = 87.1

|Sep high F = 78.9

|Oct high F = 66.1

|Nov high F = 51.6

|Dec high F = 42.7

|Jan low F = 18.5

|Feb low F = 22.8

|Mar low F = 28.4

|Apr low F = 33.7

|May low F = 41.5

|Jun low F = 50.1

|Jul low F = 57.8

|Aug low F = 56.8

|Sep low F = 47.6

|Oct low F = 36.0

|Nov low F = 25.9

|Dec low F = 18.6

|Jan record low F = −26

|Feb record low F = −24

|Mar record low F = −1

|Apr record low F = 6

|May record low F = 21

|Jun record low F = 26

|Jul record low F = 40

|Aug record low F = 36

|Sep record low F = 23

|Oct record low F = −7

|Nov record low F = −7

|Dec record low F = −23

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 0.90

|Feb precipitation inch = 0.97

|Mar precipitation inch = 1.34

|Apr precipitation inch = 1.00

|May precipitation inch = 0.91

|Jun precipitation inch = 0.45

|Jul precipitation inch = 0.93

|Aug precipitation inch = 1.15

|Sep precipitation inch = 0.83

|Oct precipitation inch = 1.30

|Nov precipitation inch = 0.97

|Dec precipitation inch = 0.65

|Jan precipitation days = 6.4

|Feb precipitation days = 6.5

|Mar precipitation days = 8.8

|Apr precipitation days = 6.6

|May precipitation days = 6.1

|Jun precipitation days = 3.2

|Jul precipitation days = 5.3

|Aug precipitation days = 6.4

|Sep precipitation days = 4.7

|Oct precipitation days = 5.8

|Nov precipitation days = 5.6

|Dec precipitation days = 5.8

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 inch

|Jan snow inch = 9.1

|Feb snow inch = 9.0

|Mar snow inch = 8.5

|Apr snow inch = 5.2

|May snow inch = 1.5

|Jun snow inch = 0.1

|Jul snow inch = 0

|Aug snow inch = 0

|Sep snow inch = 0.1

|Oct snow inch = 2.3

|Nov snow inch = 6.1

|Dec snow inch = 6.0

|Jan snow days = 5.1

|Feb snow days = 4.4

|Mar snow days = 4.7

|Apr snow days = 2.9

|May snow days = 0.8

|Jun snow days = 0.1

|Jul snow days = 0

|Aug snow days = 0

|Sep snow days = 0.1

|Oct snow days = 1.0

|Nov snow days = 3.2

|Dec snow days = 3.6

|unit snow days = 0.1 inch

|source 1 = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration{{cite web|title= Climatic Averages for the United States 1971–2000: CEDAR CITY, UT|url= http://cdo.ncdc.noaa.gov/climatenormals/clim20/ut/421267.pdf|access-date= 2013-04-06|publisher= National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140722010340/http://cdo.ncdc.noaa.gov/climatenormals/clim20/ut/421267.pdf|archive-date= 2014-07-22|url-status= dead}}

|date=April 2013

}}

{{Weather box

|location = Provo (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1916–present)

|single line = Yes

|collapsed = Yes

|width = auto

|Jan record high F = 63

|Feb record high F = 73

|Mar record high F = 84

|Apr record high F = 89

|May record high F = 98

|Jun record high F = 105

|Jul record high F = 108

|Aug record high F = 107

|Sep record high F = 101

|Oct record high F = 90

|Nov record high F = 77

|Dec record high F = 72

|year record high F= 108

| Jan avg record high F = 55

| Feb avg record high F = 63

| Mar avg record high F = 74

| Apr avg record high F = 82

| May avg record high F = 90

| Jun avg record high F = 99

| Jul avg record high F = 103

| Aug avg record high F = 100

| Sep avg record high F = 94

| Oct avg record high F = 84

| Nov avg record high F = 70

| Dec avg record high F = 58

| year avg record high F = 103

|Jan high F = 41.0

|Feb high F = 47.5

|Mar high F = 58.3

|Apr high F = 65.5

|May high F = 75.5

|Jun high F = 87.0

|Jul high F = 95.0

|Aug high F = 92.7

|Sep high F = 82.9

|Oct high F = 68.4

|Nov high F = 53.0

|Dec high F = 41.2

|year high F = 67.3

|Jan mean F = 32.3

|Feb mean F = 37.4

|Mar mean F = 46.3

|Apr mean F = 52.5

|May mean F = 61.4

|Jun mean F = 70.9

|Jul mean F = 78.6

|Aug mean F = 76.7

|Sep mean F = 67.3

|Oct mean F = 54.5

|Nov mean F = 42.2

|Dec mean F = 32.7

|year mean F = 54.4

|Jan low F = 23.5

|Feb low F = 27.2

|Mar low F = 34.3

|Apr low F = 39.5

|May low F = 47.2

|Jun low F = 54.7

|Jul low F = 62.1

|Aug low F = 60.8

|Sep low F = 51.8

|Oct low F = 40.7

|Nov low F = 31.4

|Dec low F = 24.2

|year low F = 41.5

| Jan avg record low F = 8

| Feb avg record low F = 13

| Mar avg record low F = 22

| Apr avg record low F = 28

| May avg record low F = 35

| Jun avg record low F = 43

| Jul avg record low F = 53

| Aug avg record low F = 52

| Sep avg record low F = 40

| Oct avg record low F = 28

| Nov avg record low F = 17

| Dec avg record low F = 10

| year avg record low F = 5

|Jan record low F = -20

|Feb record low F = -20

|Mar record low F = 0

|Apr record low F = 12

|May record low F = 27

|Jun record low F = 29

|Jul record low F = 35

|Aug record low F = 39

|Sep record low F = 21

|Oct record low F = 11

|Nov record low F = 3

|Dec record low F = -30

|year record low F= -30

|Jan precipitation inch = 1.95

|Feb precipitation inch = 1.59

|Mar precipitation inch = 1.55

|Apr precipitation inch = 1.95

|May precipitation inch = 1.97

|Jun precipitation inch = 0.93

|Jul precipitation inch = 0.51

|Aug precipitation inch = 0.77

|Sep precipitation inch = 1.24

|Oct precipitation inch = 1.59

|Nov precipitation inch = 1.39

|Dec precipitation inch = 1.81

|year precipitation inch = 17.23

|Jan snow inch = 12.5

|Feb snow inch = 8.5

|Mar snow inch = 4.0

|Apr snow inch = 3.1

|May snow inch = 0.2

|Jun snow inch = 0

|Jul snow inch = 0

|Aug snow inch = 0

|Sep snow inch = 0

|Oct snow inch = 0.6

|Nov snow inch = 4.5

|Dec snow inch = 12.0

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 10

|Feb precipitation days = 9

|Mar precipitation days = 9

|Apr precipitation days = 10

|May precipitation days = 9

|Jun precipitation days = 6

|Jul precipitation days = 5

|Aug precipitation days = 5

|Sep precipitation days = 6

|Oct precipitation days = 7

|Nov precipitation days = 8

|Dec precipitation days = 9

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 6

|Feb snow days = 4

|Mar snow days = 3

|Apr snow days = 2

|May snow days = 0

|Jun snow days = 0

|Jul snow days = 0

|Aug snow days = 0

|Sep snow days = 0

|Oct snow days = 0

|Nov snow days = 3

|Dec snow days = 6

|Jan percentsun = 50

|Feb percentsun = 55

|Mar percentsun = 67

|Apr percentsun = 69

|May percentsun = 71

|Jun percentsun = 80

|Jul percentsun = 73

|Aug percentsun = 79

|Sep percentsun = 83

|Oct percentsun = 73

|Nov percentsun = 50

|Dec percentsun = 56

|Jan uv = 2

|Feb uv = 3

|Mar uv = 5

|Apr uv = 7

|May uv = 9

|Jun uv = 10

|Jul uv = 10

|Aug uv = 9

|Sep uv = 7

|Oct uv = 4

|Nov uv = 3

|Dec uv = 2

|source 1 = NOAA{{cite web|url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=slc|title = NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|access-date = February 14, 2012}}

|source 2= Weather Atlas {{cite web |url=https://www.weather-us.com/en/utah-usa/provo-climate |title=Provo, Utah, USA - Monthly weather forecast and Climate data |publisher=Weather Atlas |access-date=July 4, 2019 }}

}}

File:Rocky-mountain-elk.jpg is the Utah state mammal.]]

File:California-gull.jpg is the Utah state bird.]]

{{see also|List of fauna of Utah}}

Utah is home to more than 600 vertebrate animals{{cite web|url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/SearchVerts.asp |title=Vertebrate Animals |access-date=May 18, 2017 |publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources |archive-date=May 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502184742/http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/SearchVerts.asp |url-status=dead }} as well as numerous invertebrates and insects.{{cite web|url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/SearchInverts.asp |title=Insects and Mollusks |access-date=May 18, 2017 |publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources |archive-date=May 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525083953/https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/SearchInverts.asp |url-status=dead }}

{{main|List of mammals of Utah}}

Mammals are found in every area of Utah. Non-predatory larger mammals include the plains bison,{{cite web|url=https://digitallibrary.utah.gov/awweb/awarchive?type=file&item=80834|title=American Bison (Bison bison)|date=January 2011|first1=Ron|last1=Stewart|first2=Allen|last2=Nielson|publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources|access-date=December 7, 2020|format=PDF|page=3|archive-date=April 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415033637/https://digitallibrary.utah.gov/awweb/awarchive?type=file&item=80834|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=bosxbiso |title=American bison |access-date=June 19, 2020 |publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719222820/https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=bosxbiso |archive-date=July 19, 2020 |url-status=live}} elk,{{cite web |url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=cervelap |title=Elk or Wapati |access-date=June 19, 2020 |publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719232153/https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=cervelap |archive-date=July 19, 2020 |url-status=live}} moose,{{cite web |url=https://nhmu.utah.edu/mammals-wasatch-front |title=Mammals of the Wasatch Front |date=August 29, 2012 |access-date=July 19, 2020 |publisher=Natural History Museum of Utah |archive-date=July 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719175602/https://nhmu.utah.edu/mammals-wasatch-front |url-status=live}} mountain goat, mule deer, pronghorn,{{cite web |url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=antiamer |title= Pronghorn |access-date=June 19, 2020 |publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719233459/https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=antiamer |archive-date=July 19, 2020 |url-status=live}} and multiple types of bighorn sheep.{{cite web |url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=oviscaca |title=California bighorn sheep |access-date=June 19, 2020 |publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719224838/https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=oviscaca |archive-date=July 19, 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=oviscane |title=Desert bighorn sheep |access-date=June 19, 2020 |publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130062348/http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=oviscane |archive-date=November 30, 2016 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=oviscana |title=Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep |access-date=June 19, 2020 |publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719233729/https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=oviscana |archive-date=July 19, 2020 |url-status=live}} Non-predatory small mammals include muskrat, and nutria.{{cite web |url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=myoccoyp |title=Nutriap |access-date=March 15, 2021 |publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030194724/https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=myoccoyp |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |url-status=live}} Large and small predatory mammals include the black bear, cougar, Canada lynx,{{cite web |url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=lynxcana |title=Canada lynx |access-date=June 19, 2020 |publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130061948/http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=lynxcana |archive-date=November 30, 2016 |url-status=live}} bobcat, fox (gray, red, and kit), coyote, badger, black-footed ferret,{{cite web |url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=mustnigr |title=Black-footed ferret |access-date=June 19, 2020 |publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719223712/https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=mustnigr |archive-date=July 19, 2020 |url-status=live}} mink, stoat, long-tailed weasel, raccoon, and otter.{{cite web|url=http://thelivingplanet.com/discoverutah/|title=Discover Utah|publisher=Loveland Living Planet Aquarium|access-date=May 21, 2017|archive-date=June 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611104801/http://thelivingplanet.com/discoverutah/|url-status=live}}

The brown bear was formerly found within Utah, but has been extirpated.{{cite web |url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=ursuarct |title=Brown bear |access-date=June 19, 2020 |publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719224031/https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=ursuarct |archive-date=July 19, 2020 |url-status=live}} There are no confirmed mating pairs of gray wolf in Utah, though there have been sightings in northeastern Utah along the Wyoming border.{{cite web |url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=canilupu |title=Gray wolf |access-date=June 19, 2020 |publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719232443/https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=canilupu |archive-date=July 19, 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/06/03/gray-wolf-is-utah-first/ |title=A gray wolf is in Utah for the first time in years. The state is setting traps. |first=Zak |last=Podmore |date=June 3, 2020 |work=Salt Lake Tribune |access-date=June 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719233113/https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/06/03/gray-wolf-is-utah-first/ |archive-date=July 19, 2020 |url-status=live}}

{{main|List of birds of Utah}}

As of January 2020, there were 466 species included in the official list managed by the Utah Bird Records Committee (UBRC).{{cite web|url=http://www.utahbirds.org/checklistUtah.htm |title=Birds of Utah |date=January 2020 |publisher=Utah Birds Records Committee|access-date=July 6, 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.utahbirds.org/RecCom/AuxiliaryList.htm |title=Auxiliary Lists |date=May 2017 |publisher=Utah Birds Records Committee|access-date=July 6, 2020}} Of these, 119 are classed as accidental, 29 are classed as occasional, 57 are classed as rare, and 10 have been introduced to Utah or North America. Eleven of the accidental species are also classed as provisional.

Due to the miracle of the gulls incident in 1848, the most well known bird in Utah is the California gull, which is the Utah state bird.{{cite web | url = http://onlinelibrary.utah.gov/research/utah_symbols/bird.html |title = Utah State Bird |access-date = August 11, 2014 | publisher = Utah.gov |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200122135458/http://onlinelibrary.utah.gov/research/utah_symbols/bird.html |archive-date = January 22, 2020 }}{{cite book|title=Birds of the Great Basin|first=Fred A.|last=Ryser|year=1985|location=Reno, NV, USA|publisher=University of Nevada Press|page=203|isbn=0-87417-080-X|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bxpXq_hMxfAC&pg=PA203|access-date=August 11, 2014}}{{Dead link|date=May 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} A monument in Salt Lake City commemorates this event, known as the "Miracle of the Gulls". Other gulls common to Utah include Bonaparte's gull,{{cite web|url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/Display.asp?FlNm=laruphil|title=Larus philadelphia|publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources|access-date=May 29, 2017|archive-date=December 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213230552/http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=laruphil|url-status=live}} the ring-billed gull, and Franklin's gull.

Other birds commonly found include the American robin,{{cite web|url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/Display.asp?FlNm=turdmigr|title=Turdus migratorius|publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources|access-date=May 23, 2017|archive-date=December 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213063241/http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=turdmigr|url-status=live}} the common starling, finches (black rosy,{{cite web|url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/Display.asp?FlNm=leucatra|title=Leucosticte atrata|publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources|access-date=May 29, 2017|archive-date=December 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213135645/http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=leucatra|url-status=live}} Cassin's,{{cite web|url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/Display.asp?FlNm=carpcass|title=Carpodacus cassinii|publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources|access-date=June 24, 2017|archive-date=December 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161214041445/http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=carpcass|url-status=live}} and goldfinch),{{cite web|url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/Display.asp?FlNm=cardtris|title=Carduelis tristis|publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources|access-date=May 23, 2017|archive-date=December 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213063147/http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=cardtris|url-status=live}} the black-billed magpie,{{cite web|url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/Display.asp?FlNm=picapica|title=Pica hudsonia|publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources|access-date=May 29, 2017|archive-date=December 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213135802/http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=picapica|url-status=live}} mourning doves, sparrows (house, tree,{{cite web|url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/Display.asp?FlNm=spizarbo|title=Spizella arborea|publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources|access-date=May 23, 2017|archive-date=December 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213063257/http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=spizarbo|url-status=live}} black-chinned,{{cite web|url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/Display.asp?FlNm=spizatro|title=Spizella atrogularis|publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources|access-date=May 29, 2017|archive-date=December 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213140048/http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=spizatro|url-status=live}} black-throated,{{cite web|url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/Display.asp?FlNm=amphbili|title=Amphispiza bilineata|publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources|access-date=May 29, 2017|archive-date=December 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213140215/http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=amphbili|url-status=live}} Brewer's,{{cite web|url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/Display.asp?FlNm=spizbrew|title=Spizella breweri|publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources|access-date=May 29, 2017|archive-date=December 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213230653/http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=spizbrew|url-status=live}} and chipping),{{cite web|url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/Display.asp?FlNm=spizpass|title=Spizella passerina|publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources|access-date=June 24, 2017|archive-date=December 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161215221910/http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=spizpass|url-status=live}} Clark's grebe,{{cite web|url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/Display.asp?FlNm=aechclar|title=Aechmophorus clarki|publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources|access-date=June 24, 2017|archive-date=December 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161215222007/http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=aechclar|url-status=live}} the ferruginous hawk, geese (snow, cackling,{{cite web|url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/Display.asp?FlNm=branhutc|title=Branta hutchinsii|publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources|access-date=May 29, 2017|archive-date=December 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161214041153/http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=branhutc|url-status=live}} and Canada),{{cite web|url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/Display.asp?FlNm=brancana|title=Branta canadensis|publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources|access-date=May 29, 2017|archive-date=December 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161214041249/http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=brancana|url-status=live}} eagles (golden and bald),{{cite web|url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/Display.asp?FlNm=halileuc|title=Haliaeetus leucocephalus|publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources|access-date=May 23, 2017|archive-date=December 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213063713/http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=halileuc|url-status=live}} California quail,{{cite web|url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/Display.asp?FlNm=callcali|title=Callipepla californica|publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources|access-date=May 29, 2017|archive-date=December 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161214041235/http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=callcali|url-status=live}} mountain bluebird, and hummingbirds (calliope,{{cite web|url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/Display.asp?FlNm=stelcall|title=Stellula calliope|publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources|access-date=May 29, 2017|archive-date=December 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161214041242/http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=stelcall|url-status=live}} black-chinned,{{cite web|url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/Display.asp?FlNm=archalex|title=Archilochus alexandri|publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources|access-date=May 29, 2017|archive-date=December 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213135843/http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=archalex|url-status=live}} and broad-tailed).{{cite web|url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/Display.asp?FlNm=selaplat|title=Selasphorus platycercus|publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources|access-date=May 29, 2017|archive-date=December 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161214040937/http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=selaplat|url-status=live}}

File:Latrodectus hesperus (F Theridiidae).jpg

{{main|List of arachnids of Utah|List of butterflies and moths of Utah|List of mollusks of Utah}}

Utah is host to a wide variety of arachnids, insects, mollusks, and other invertebrates. Arachnids include the Arizona bark scorpion,{{cite web|url=http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/factsheet/ENT-68-08.pdf|title=Utah Pests Fact Sheet: Scorpions|publisher=Utah State University Extension Service|access-date=May 22, 2017|archive-date=May 22, 2017|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6qe6jAaLp?url=http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1947|url-status=live}} Western black widow spiders,{{cite web|url=https://nhmu.utah.edu/bugs-utah|title=Bugs of Utah|publisher=Natural History Museum of Utah|access-date=May 20, 2017|archive-date=July 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701201747/https://nhmu.utah.edu/bugs-utah|url-status=live}} crab spiders,{{cite web|url=http://aces.nmsu.edu/academics/spiders/entelegynes3.html|title=The Spiders of the Arid Southwest - Taxonomic Section - Entelegynae (page 3)|publisher=New Mexico State University College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences|access-date=May 22, 2017|archive-date=November 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126145033/http://aces.nmsu.edu/academics/spiders/entelegynes3.html|url-status=live}} hobo spiders (Tegenaria agrestis),{{cite web|url=http://utahpests.usu.edu/uppdl/htm/top-20-arachnids|title=Top 20 Arachnids|publisher=Utah State University Extension Service|access-date=May 22, 2017|archive-date=May 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521052156/http://utahpests.usu.edu/uppdl/htm/top-20-arachnids|url-status=live}} cellar spiders, American grass spiders, woodlouse spiders. Several spiders found in Utah are often mistaken for the brown recluse spider, including the desert recluse spider (found only in Washington County), the cellar spider, and crevice weaving spiders.{{cite web |url=https://extension.usu.edu/pests/uppdl/top-20-arachnids |title=Top 20 Arachnids |publisher=Utah State University Extension Office |access-date=March 15, 2021 |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129051733/https://extension.usu.edu/pests/uppdl/top-20-arachnids |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.ksl.com/article/36882486/5-of-the-most-common-spiders-in-utah |title=5 of the most common spiders in Utah |date=October 10, 2015 |first=Natalie |last=Crofts |work=KSL-TV |access-date=March 15, 2021 |archive-date=March 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316004147/https://www.ksl.com/article/36882486/5-of-the-most-common-spiders-in-utah |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.deseret.com/1992/11/25/19018756/arachnophobia-or-not-utahns-should-look-upon-spiders-as-friends |title=Arachnophobia or not, Utahns should look upon spiders as friends |date=November 25, 1992 |first=Larry A. |last=Sagers |work=Deseret News |access-date=March 15, 2021 |archive-date=March 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210316004511/https://www.deseret.com/1992/11/25/19018756/arachnophobia-or-not-utahns-should-look-upon-spiders-as-friends |url-status=live }} The brown recluse spider has not been officially confirmed in Utah {{as of|2020|06|alt=as of summer 2020}}.{{cite web |url=https://extension.usu.edu/pests/files/up-newsletter/2020/UtahPestsNews-summer20.pdf |title=Murder Hornet Madness |date=2020 |issue=Summer |quote=And finally, false reports of brown recluse spiders incite fear in Utah residents (only the desert recluse spider, found in Washington County, exists in Utah). |page=7 |publisher=Utah State University Extension Office |access-date=March 15, 2021 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115151806/https://extension.usu.edu/pests/files/up-newsletter/2020/UtahPestsNews-summer20.pdf |url-status=live }}

One of the most rare insects in Utah is the Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle, found only in Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, near Kanab.{{cite web|url=https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=I0EW |title=Species Profile for Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle (Cicindela albissima) |publisher=United States Fish and Wildlife Service |access-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-date=May 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525081829/https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=I0EW |url-status=dead }} It was proposed in 2012 to be listed as a threatened species,{{cite web|url=https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-10-02/pdf/2012-23741.pdf |title=Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Threatened Status for Coral Pink Sand Dunes Tiger Beetle and Designation of Critical Habitat; Proposed Rule |date=October 2, 2012 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |publisher=National Archives and Records Administration |archive-date=May 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525081830/https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-10-02/pdf/2012-23741.pdf |url-status=dead }} but the proposal was not accepted.{{cite web|url=https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-10-02/pdf/2013-23165.pdf |title=Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Withdrawal of the Proposed Rule To List Coral Pink Sand Dunes Tiger Beetle and Designate Critical Habitat; Proposed Rule |date=October 2, 2013 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |publisher=National Archives and Records Administration |archive-date=May 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506184803/https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-10-02/pdf/2013-23165.pdf |url-status=dead }} Other insects include grasshoppers,{{cite web|url=http://vegetableguide.usu.edu/insects/cucurbits-melon/grasshoppers|title=Grasshoppers|publisher=Utah State University Extension Services|access-date=May 22, 2017|archive-date=November 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106154353/http://vegetableguide.usu.edu/insects/cucurbits-melon/grasshoppers|url-status=live}} green stink bugs,{{cite web|url=http://vegetableguide.usu.edu/insects/tomato-pepper-eggplant/stink-bugs|title=Stink Bugs|publisher=Utah State University Extension Service|access-date=May 22, 2017|archive-date=November 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106154439/http://vegetableguide.usu.edu/insects/tomato-pepper-eggplant/stink-bugs|url-status=live}} the Army cutworm,{{cite web|url=http://vegetableguide.usu.edu/insects/potato/cutworms|title=Cutworms|publisher=Utah State University Extension Services|access-date=May 22, 2017|archive-date=November 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106154408/http://vegetableguide.usu.edu/insects/potato/cutworms|url-status=live}} the monarch butterfly,{{cite web|url=http://www.thebutterflysite.com/utah-butterflies.shtml|title=List of Butterflies of Utah|publisher=The Butterfly Site|access-date=May 20, 2017|archive-date=June 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615131854/http://www.thebutterflysite.com/utah-butterflies.shtml|url-status=live}} and Mormon fritillary butterfly. The white-lined sphinx moth is common to most of the United States, but there have been reported outbreaks of large groups of their larvae damaging tomato, grape and garden crops in Utah.{{Cite web|url=https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Hyles-lineata|title=White-lined Sphinx Hyles lineata (Fabricius, 1775) {{!}} Butterflies and Moths of North America|website=www.butterfliesandmoths.org|language=en|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821125506/https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Hyles-lineata|archive-date=August 21, 2017|url-status=live}} Four or five species of firefly are also found across the state.{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/south/spanish-fork/spanish-fork-resident-shows-off-fireflies-for-community/article_ec3dfc61-d033-559b-8889-34b8e2caeca1.html |title=Spanish Fork resident shows off fireflies for community |first=Katie |last=England |date=June 10, 2018 |work=The Daily Herald |access-date=March 15, 2021 |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612203739/https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/south/spanish-fork/spanish-fork-resident-shows-off-fireflies-for-community/article_ec3dfc61-d033-559b-8889-34b8e2caeca1.html |url-status=live }}

In February 2009, Africanized honeybees were found in southern Utah.[http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/02/africanized_bees_found_in_utah.html African bees found in Utah for the first time] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912145440/http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/02/africanized_bees_found_in_utah.html |date=September 12, 2016 }}. Associated Press. February 12, 2009{{cite web |url=http://ag.utah.gov/news/africanmainpage.html |title=Utah Department of Agriculture and Food |publisher=Ag.utah.gov |access-date=October 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020154420/http://ag.utah.gov/news/africanmainpage.html |archive-date=October 20, 2010 |url-status=dead }} The bees had spread into eight counties in Utah, as far north as Grand and Emery counties by May 2017.{{cite news |url=http://www.ksl.com/?sid=44294722&nid=148&title=killer-bees-now-documented-in-8-utah-counties |title=Killer bees now documented in 8 Utah counties |date=May 18, 2017 |first=Becky |last=Wright |work=KSL-TV |access-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520212841/http://www.ksl.com/?sid=44294722&nid=148&title=killer-bees-now-documented-in-8-utah-counties |archive-date=May 20, 2017}}

{{main|List of flora of Utah}}

File:FallPando02.jpg, a single clonal organism in the form of a forest of genetically identical quaking aspen trees with interconnected roots (here showing yellow leaves in the fall) is one of the heaviest and oldest organisms on Earth.{{cite journal |last1=Mitton |first1=Jeffry B. |last2=Grant |first2=Michael C. |title=Genetic Variation and the Natural History of Quaking Aspen |journal=BioScience |date=1996 |volume=46 |issue=1 |pages=25–31 |doi=10.2307/1312652 |doi-access= |jstor=1312652}}{{Cite journal|last1=Mock|first1=K. E.|last2=Rowe|first2=C. A.|last3=Hooten|first3=M. B.|last4=Dewoody|first4=J.|last5=Hipkins|first5=V. D.|date=November 2008|title=Clonal dynamics in western North American aspen (Populus tremuloides)|journal=Molecular Ecology|language=en|volume=17|issue=22|pages=4827–4844|doi=10.1111/j.1365-294X.2008.03963.x|pmid=19140975|s2cid=1425039}}]]

File:Mojave2.jpg, yuccas, and cholla cactus occupy the far southwest corner of the state in the Mojave Desert]]

Several thousand plants are native to Utah,{{cite web|url=https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/SearchSelection.asp?Group=PLANT&Species=PLANT |title=Plants |access-date=May 18, 2017 |publisher=Utah Division of Wildlife Resources |archive-date=May 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525085006/https://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/SearchSelection.asp?Group=PLANT&Species=PLANT |url-status=dead }} including a variety of trees, shrubs, cacti, herbaceous plants, and grasses. {{As of|2018}}, there are 3,930 species of plants in Utah, with 3,128 of those being indigenous and 792 being introduced through various means.{{cite web |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2018/05/07/how-a-waterwise-ornamental-plant-has-taken-over-wasatch-foothills/ |title=How a 'waterwise' ornamental plant has taken over Wasatch foothills |first=Brian |last=Maffly |date=May 7, 2018 |access-date=July 21, 2020 |work=Salt Lake Tribune |archive-date=July 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721220511/https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2018/05/07/how-a-waterwise-ornamental-plant-has-taken-over-wasatch-foothills/ |url-status=live}}

Common trees include pines/piñons (white fir, Colorado, single-leaf, Great Basin bristlecone, ponderosa, Engelmann spruce, Rocky Mountain white), and Acer grandidentatum, quaking aspen, bigtooth maple, Utah juniper, speckled alder, red birch, Gambel oak, desert willow, blue spruce, and Joshua trees. Utah has a number of named trees, including the Jardine Juniper, Pando, and the Thousand Mile Tree. Shrubs include a number of different ephedras (pitamoreal, Navajo, Arizona, Nevada, Torrey's jointfir, and green Mormon tea), sagebrushes (little, Bigelow, silver, Michaux's wormwood, black, pygmy, bud, and Great Basin), blue elderberry, Utah serviceberry, chokecherry, and skunkbush sumac. Western poison oak, poison sumac, and western poison ivy are all found in Utah.{{cite web|url=https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/postings/2014/07/070214_poisonous-plants.php|title=Protect Yourself From Poisonous Plants|author=University of Utah Health Office of Public Affairs|date=July 1, 2014|access-date=March 15, 2021|archive-date=October 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003034708/https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/postings/2014/07/070214_poisonous-plants.php|url-status=live}}

There are many varieties of cacti in Utah's varied deserts, especially in the southern and western parts of the state. Some of these include desert prickly pear, California barrel cactus, fishhook cactus, cholla, beavertail prickly pear, and Uinta Basin hookless cactus. Despite the desert climate, many different grasses are found in Utah, including Mormon needlegrass, bluebunch wheatgrass, western alkali grass, squirreltail, desert saltgrass, and cheatgrass.

Several invasive species of plants are considered noxious weeds by the state, including Bermuda grass, field bindweed, henbane, jointed goatgrass, Canada thistle, Balkan and common toadflax, giant cane, couch grass, St. John's wort, hemlock, sword grass, Russian olive, myrtle spurge, Japanese knotweed, salt cedar, and goat's head.{{cite web |url=https://ag.utah.gov/farmers/plants-industry/noxious-weed-control-resources/state-of-utah-noxious-weed-list/ |title=State of Utah Noxious Weed List |date=June 6, 2019 |access-date=July 21, 2020 |publisher=Utah Department of Agriculture and Food |archive-date=January 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122094445/https://ag.utah.gov/farmers/plants-industry/noxious-weed-control-resources/state-of-utah-noxious-weed-list/ |url-status=live}}

File:Arches 1 - panoramio.jpg|Arches National Park

File:My Public Lands Roadtrip- Pariette Wetlands in Utah (20220345702).jpg|Pariette Wetlands, an oasis in the Uinta Basin

File:LCLfallfoliage2005.JPG|Little Cottonwood Canyon

File:Deer Creek Reservoir.jpg|Deer Creek Reservoir

File:American Fork Canyon from Timpanogos Cave entrance.jpg|American Fork Canyon

File:Kolob Canyon at Zion National Park, March 2019.jpg|Kolob Canyons at Zion National Park

• List of canyons and gorges in Utah
• List of Utah counties
• List of earthquakes in Utah

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{{U.S. political divisions geographies}}

Category:Geography of Utah