Drought — Lower Yampa River Basin, Colorado

2025-08-01 to 2025-08-31 · Lower Yampa River Basin, Colorado

Event narrative

At the beginning of the month of August, the US Drought Monitor analysis indicated that Extreme (D3) Drought covered the entirety of Colorado Zone 001 - Lower Yampa River Basin. With the 8/13/25 Drought Monitor update, a small sliver (less than 10% of the zone) of Exceptional (D4) Drought developed. After this addition of Exceptional (D4) conditions, the drought conditions in the zone remained unchanged through the end of the month.

Wider weather episode

The month of August continued where July left off, with overall above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation. In particular, the lower elevations of eastern Utah and western Colorado showed the greatest departures in both temperatures and precipitation. As a result, Extreme (D3) Drought either remained unchanged in coverage, or expanded through the month.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1289308. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.