Ski Utah Launched El Niño Lawn Sign Campaign
The state's ski organization is distributing lawn signs to encourage hopes for a strong winter snowpack.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Current Conditions
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Ski Utah has launched a new campaign featuring lawn signs that advocate for a robust El Niño season. The effort serves as a lighthearted attempt to unite residents in hope for heavy snowfall following a difficult previous season.
Why it matters
With approximately 95% of Utah's water supply dependent on mountain snowpack, a lack of precipitation poses significant risks to the state. The campaign aims to rally community spirit around favorable weather forecasts as the state looks to recover from recent record-low totals.
The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center reports a greater than 90% chance of a very strong El Niño event this season. Past El Niño years, such as 1982-1983 and 1997-1998, saw mountain snowpack levels reach between 133% and 160% of normal.
The players
Ski Utah
This is the trade association responsible for promoting the state's skiing industry and managing relations between resorts and the public.
National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center
This federal agency is responsible for issuing long-range climate forecasts and monitoring global weather patterns like El Niño.
Alan Smith
He is a meteorologist who provides snowfall projections for the Great Basin and broader mountain regions.
The details
Ski Utah is distributing these signs from its Salt Lake City office to help address El Niño forecasts during the election season. The initiative comes after the 2025-2026 winter saw a 26% drop in skier visits following record-low snowpack levels across the state.
Timeline
The 1963-1964 winter was Utah's third-driest on record.
The 2025-2026 winter experienced record-low snowpack.
Meteorologist Alan Smith released a snowfall outlook in August 2026.
Ski Utah will distribute lawn signs in Salt Lake City on October 2, 2026.
The National Weather Service will release a final winter outlook in November 2026.
Seasonal Patterns
The campaign follows a pattern set by the National Weather Service's seasonal precipitation outlooks by relying on established climate forecasts to influence local public sentiment. This approach compares current projections for the Great Basin against historical precedents like the drought-prone 1963-1964 season.
Residents interested in participating in the campaign can pick up their signs at the designated Salt Lake City location on October 2. The organization encourages the public to use these signs as a way to maintain optimism for the upcoming snowpack season.
The takeaway
Preparing for extreme weather shifts is a central part of living in a state where the water supply is so tied to mountain snow. Residents are encouraged to monitor future meteorological updates as the official National Weather Service forecast approaches in November.
What happens next
Ski Utah will host a lawn sign distribution event at its Salt Lake City office on October 2, 2026, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Additionally, the National Weather Service is scheduled to release its final official winter outlook in November 2026.
Further reading
For more on ongoing climate patterns in the region, visit Current Conditions.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KSL.
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