Drought — West Elk and Sawatch Mountains, Colorado

2025-07-01 to 2025-07-31 · West Elk and Sawatch Mountains, Colorado

Event narrative

The US Drought Monitor analyzed an area of Extreme (D3) Drought in Colorado Zone 012 - West Elk and Sawatch Mountains. With the continued hot and dry conditions during the month of July, this zone saw a significant expansion in areal coverage with the July 16th Drought Monitor update. No reports of crop damage or failures, or other drought related impacts, were received.

Wider weather episode

The month saw above normal temperatures and generally below normal precipitation across eastern Utah and western Colorado. What little moisture did manage to move into the region favored the higher terrain, allowing drought conditions across the lower elevations to worsen through the month. A brief period of moisture at the beginning of the month contributed to brief drought improvements for certain areas, but the overall hot and dry month led to expansion of drought conditions.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1284562. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.