October 15, 2025
It’s only mid-October, but Salt Lake City has already shattered a 44-year-old rainfall record, turning this month into one of the wettest in its 151-year weather history.
As of 8 a.m. Tuesday, the city’s monthly total reached 4.16 inches, breaking the previous October record of 3.98 inches set back in 1981.
The deluge — fueled by multiple strong storm systems, including remnants of Hurricane Priscilla and an early October downpour that nearly set a daily record — has drenched the region, flooded neighborhoods, and dramatically improved drought conditions.
“It’s pretty impressive,” said KSL meteorologist Matt Johnson, noting that much of northern Utah has seen rainfall totals far above seasonal averages.
From Floods to Drought Relief
While the record-breaking rain has caused flooding in parts of the Salt Lake Valley, it’s also provided welcome drought relief after a dry summer.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 37% of Salt Lake County was classified under severe drought at the end of the water year (Sept. 30). Now, that percentage has dropped to zero, with the county currently listed under only moderate drought — and expected to improve further.
City officials declared a local emergency last week after flash floods overwhelmed drainage systems and damaged several streets.
“The rain has been both a blessing and a challenge,” said one city spokesperson. “We’re seeing drought recovery, but also infrastructure stress we haven’t experienced in years.”
More Rain on the Way
The wet streak isn’t over yet.
Meteorologists expect another low-pressure system to move through the state late Tuesday into Wednesday, bringing showers and isolated thunderstorms through Thursday morning.
Forecast models show up to an additional inch of rain across portions of the Wasatch Front and northern Utah, with southwest and central Utah also receiving 0.25 to 0.5 inches.
That means Salt Lake City could soon enter historic territory, reaching rainfall totals rarely seen in its recorded climate history.
How Close to an All-Time Record?
Salt Lake City is now just 0.84 inches away from hitting 5 inches in a single month — something that has only happened four times in more than 150 years.
The last occurrence was in May 2011, when months of heavy rain and snowmelt triggered statewide flooding emergencies.
If forecasts hold, October 2025 could become one of the five wettest months ever recorded in the city.
However, topping the all-time record will be a challenge. That title still belongs to September 1982, when 7.04 inches of rain fell — much of it from the remnants of Hurricane Olivia — marking the last time Salt Lake City saw over 6 inches of rain in a single month.
The 10 Wettest Months in Salt Lake City History
| Rank | Month & Year | Total Rainfall (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | September 1982 | 7.04 |
| 2️⃣ | November 1875 | 5.81 |
| 3️⃣ | May 1908 | 5.76 |
| 4️⃣ | May 2011 | 5.14 |
| 5️⃣ | April 1944 | 4.90 |
| 6️⃣ | February 1998 | 4.89 |
| 7️⃣ | May 1977 | 4.76 |
| 8️⃣ | March 1891 | 4.66 |
| 9️⃣ | April 1974 | 4.57 |
| 🔟 | April 1986 | 4.55 |
With storms continuing to roll through Utah, October 2025 may soon join this list — or even climb higher.
“The pattern favors above-normal precipitation for the rest of the month,” the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center reports.
Whether or not Salt Lake City breaks its all-time record, one thing is certain: this October has already made weather history.
