UTAH LAKE — Recent extreme weather conditions along the Wasatch Front have led to significant ice buildup along Utah Lake's shoreline. The sheer volume of ice prompted Vineyard City Streets and Stormwater crews to employ heavy machinery, including a backhoe and excavator, to clear the ice away from their facilities at Vineyard Beach.
“I think the number one thing we wanted to do was protect our infrastructure and public safety,” said Chris Thomas, Streets and Stormwater Manager for Vineyard City.
FOX 13 News contacted Vineyard City after seeing photos of their Streets and Stormwater crews moving the ice were posted to Utah’s Weather Authority Group.
“It’s not uncommon to see the ice piles, and in fact, it’s a yearly occurrence down there,” noted George Schramm, city arborist and maintenance manager for Vineyard City. “However, I’ve lived in the county my whole life, and very rarely do we see that southerly wind with a warm-up right in the middle of winter. So it’s kind of an anomaly in that sense.”
According to FOX 13 News Meteorologist Brek Bolton, this icy phenomenon usually occurs in mid-spring.
“Over the last two or three weeks, we had some very cold temperatures, which allowed deeper ice formation. Then, we experienced record-breaking warm temperatures, which weakened the ice and contributed to its breakup,” Bolton elaborated.
Additionally, the Wasatch Front has been facing strong winds, with gusts reaching up to 40 to 50 miles per hour, further accelerating the movement of the ice.
“As that ice weakens and breaks up, it then begins to move, and that southwest flow pushes that ice onto the shore,” Bolton said.
The link between early ice shoves and climate change
While ice shoves are not new and can occur independently of climate change, Bolton says, the changing climate may affect the frequency and characteristics of such events. Ice shoves can occur when large ice masses are pushed onto land due to temperature, wind, and water movement fluctuations.
Want to see the ice in person?
Thomas recommends viewing from a safe position.
“I don’t think it’s a safety issue, as long as you’re back away from the shoreline,” he said.
Bolton cautioned that the fluctuating temperatures are a reminder to be cautious about winter activities involving ice.
“Typically during winter months, people engage in activities like snowmobiling over ice, confident that it’s thick enough. Now we have to think twice about that, especially with these warm temperatures,” he said.
As extreme weather patterns continue evolving, events like these could become more pronounced. They would serve as a critical reminder of the connections between weather, climate change, and public safety.
