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Climate
Climate within Red Butte Canyon is characterized by hot, dry summers and long, cold winters. Most precipitation occurs in winter and spring, with the summer rains less predictable and dependent on the extent to which monsoonal systems penetrate into northern Utah. Mean annual precipitation ranges from about 500 mm (20 in) at the lower elevation to approximately 900 mm (35 in) at the higher elevations (Hely et al. 1971, Bond 1977; Table 3).
| Station | Location | Latitude | Longitude | Elevation | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RB #1 | Biology Experimental Garden | 40° 46' | 110° 50' | 1515 m | 1942 - 1964 1991 - |
| RB #2 | Head of RB Reservoir | 40° 47' | 111° 48' | 1653 m | 1942 - 1964 1982 - |
| RB #3 | Along RB Creek at Brush Basin | 40° 48' | 111° 47' | 1865 m | 1942 - 1952 |
| RB #4 | Along RB Creek 100 m west of Beaver Canyon | 40° 48' | 111° 46' | 1890 m | 1942 - 1971 1982 - |
| RB #5 | Parleys Fork 100 m above inlet to RB Creek | 40° 47' | 111° 48' | 1753 m | 1942 - 1956 |
| RB #6 | Top of Elk Fork | 40° 49' | 111° 46' | 2195 m | 1946 - 1971 1982 - |
| Table 3. Locations of weather stations of Red Butte Canyon. All stations were operated by the U.S. Army between 1942 and 1964, and only precipitation was recorded. The U.S. Geological Survey has maintained a storage gage at Red Butte #2 since 1964. The Biology Department at the University of Utah has maintained daily temperature, humidity, and wind speed records at Red Butte #2, Red Butte #4, and Red Butte #6 since 1982. Red Butte #1, while technically outside the canyon, forms an integrated part of the weather station complex. | |||||
Precipitation stations have been monitored in Red Butte Canyon by several groups. The U.S. Army had six rain gages in operation between 1942 and 1964 (Table 3). Bond (1977) collected data at several of these stations between 1972 and 1974. In addition, the U.S. Geological Survey maintained storage gages at Red Butte #2, Red Butte #4, and Red Butte #6 between 1964 and 1974. Since that time, they have maintained a storage gage at Red Butte #2. Within the watershed, daily precipitation as rainfall is collected at each of the weather stations; snowfall is not adequately measured by the sensors in place. However, these data are currently collected at Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City (same elevation as previous Red Butte #1, but 4 km south).
More on Climate
• Precipitation• Air Temperatures
• Solar Radiation
• Humidity