Salt Lake City is bounded on three sides by mountain ranges and on the northwest by the Great Salt Lake. The Jordan River flows just to the west of the downtown district. Mountains shield the city from much of the severe winter weather common to the area, and the lake also serves to moderate the temperatures. Summer days are typically hot and dry, with cool nights and little precipitation. The winters are cold but not severe, with snow remaining on the ground through most of the season. Spring, especially in March, is the season of heavy rain and high winds from Pacific storms.
Area: 109 square miles (2000)
Elevation: 4,330 feet above sea level
Average Temperatures: January, 36.4° F; July, 92.2° F; annual average, 51.8° F.
Annual Average Precipitation: 15.7 inches