Your Daily Guide

After a scalding hot summer, everyone I know is itching to skip ahead to a new season. Reporting about El Niño has skiers (and us) already dreaming of a white winter.

• El Niño is a weather pattern marked by the warming of water in the Central and Eastern Pacific Ocean near the equator. It typically happens every three to four years and brings wetter and snowier winters. Not to be confused with La Niña — that’s when the same water runs cold. [The Weather Channel]
• El Niño is “like an ex who can’t commit.” But Evan Thayer at Ski Utah also says this year could be different, because it’s poised to stick around through December and into spring. January through March is forecasted to be the best for snowfall for southern Utah ski resorts. [Ski Utah]
• That’s good because Utah's snowpack was the lowest on record this year, peaking at 8.4 inches, compared to Alta getting over 600 inches in our last big El Niño year. [Utah Division of Water Resources, Ski Utah]
• Park City Mountain got ahead of the excitement and is the first ski resort to announce its target open date, Nov. 20. If you’re a newbie or want to learn, Utah has a Discover Winter program, which helps residents learn to ski for free. [Townlift, Ski Utah]

Utah To Sell Lake Powell Ferry

As Lake Powell plummets to historic lows, Utah transportation officials voted to end ferry service between Bullfrog and Halls Crossing and sell the boat. Proceeds from the sale could go toward transportation infrastructure near the lake. A complete proposal is expected this fall. [KSL]

Roadless Rule Repeal Moves Forward

The Trump administration is moving forward with a proposal to revoke the 2001 Roadless Rule, a quarter century policy protecting national forests from roadbuilding and development. The rule currently affects 30% of the National Forest System, and environmentalists say rescinding this protection could increase wildfire risk. Public comment ends Sept. 21. [KUER]

• Making more sense of the ‘Roadless Rule.’ [City Cast Salt Lake]

Writers Wanted for National Park Stories

Do you have a story to tell about our national parks? Campfire Stories is calling for submissions that "reignite our imagination about the wild.” You can submit a story, pitch a new one, or apply for a travel stipend to write about one of their listed parks for Volume 3, which include Arches and Canyonlands! The deadline is Aug. 31. [Campfire Stories]

Spanish Fork Considers New Data Center

City leaders in Spanish Fork are weighing an amendment to allow a new data center at the mouth of Spanish Fork Canyon, despite growing pushback from residents. The project aims to utilize an existing, 28-acre distribution center, but no decision has been made yet. [ABC 4]

Downtown SLC on Joe Rogan’s Podcast

Comedian Shane Gillis exaggerated a story about Salt Lake City’s downtown. Why is everyone taking him seriously? [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

City Cast Salt Lake neighbors are sharing their recs, and they never disappoint!

📣 Stephanie M. wants to shout out The Pearl. “The best bahn mi and half-off specialty wings on Wednesdays. Their live music events over the summer on the patio are the perfect hangouts with friends.”

📣 David C. is sharing some love for “Gaetano’s Sub Shop (formerly Grinders13). They’ve been making the best sandwiches in the valley since 1973, and are currently struggling to get the attention they deserve. Their steak sandwiches are amazing. The classic Italian sub is my go-to.”

📣 Hannah S. can’t say enough good things about “The Land of Salt on Harvey Milk Blvd! The employees were so helpful and kind helping fix a beloved broken necklace. They also had an amazing array of cute, unique gifts I haven't seen anywhere else. What a cool place!”

Have a shout out?