Drought in Upper Gunnison River Valley, Colorado

At the beginning of the month of July, the US Drought Monitor analyzed a small area of Extreme (D3) Drought. With some increased moisture over the Gunnison Basin at the beginning of the month, this area of Extreme (D3) Drought improved to Severe (D2) Drought conditions with the July 9th update. This zone remained Extreme (D3) Drought free through the July 30th Drought Monitor update. With this update, an area of Extreme (D3) Drought reappeared. A wildfire called South Rim developed in this zone during the month, likely using drought cured fuels. No reports of crop damage or failures, or other drought related impacts, were received.

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.