Drought in Central Yampa River Basin, Colorado

At the beginning of the month of August, the US Drought Monitor analyzed Extreme (D3) Drought conditions across roughly 90% of Colorado Zone 002 - Central Yampa River Basin. With the 8/13/25 Drought Monitor update, an area of Exceptional (D4) Drought was analyzed to cover roughly 1/3 of the zone, with no expansion of Extreme (D3) Drought conditions - meaning that roughly 90% of the zone remained under Extreme (D3) to Exceptional (D4) Drought. The 8/20/25 Drought Monitor update expanded the Extreme (D3) Drought conditions to cover the remainder of the zone, meaning the entire zone now had Extreme (D3) Drought or worse conditions. This remained unchanged through the end of the month.

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.