GSL Slip Renters and Marina Users.

Over the last several years I have been studying the weather charts for Great Salt Lake religiously.  And it has rarely been good news.  The only exception was the 2008-2009 water year that raised the lake one net foot.

But things appear to be changing.  NOAA is predicting a wetter than normal winter for the Great Salt Lake Drainage area; especially the critical Bear River Drainage area. 

That’s the forecast.  Now let’s look at what has happened this water year that is about to end;

Precipitation percent of normal

October 78%

November 15%

December 113%  The only good month all winter

January 28%

February 38%

And then things change

March 133%

April 124%

May 137%

June 128%

July 19%  The only bad month all spring and summer

August 233%

See the trend?

We just went through ten years of a very quiet sun spot pattern.  In essence, the sun went quiet.

But right at the beginning of April the Sun became active again.  In fact it has become very active with sun spots and solar flares.

A study published last year correlates wetter than normal winters for the Intermountain West with an active Sun spot pattern.  And the Sun seems to be on about a ten year cycle.  Could this be the beginning of a wet cycle for the lake?  I hope so.  And for the first time in many years I just have a good feeling about the approaching winter.  It’s time for some good news and a changing trend.

More about this in a couple days on the “News” tab of www.gslmarina.com

Dave Shearer

Harbormaster

Great Salt Lake State Marina

801-209-9142