Drought — Roan and Tavaputs Plateaus, Colorado

2025-08-01 to 2025-08-31 · Roan and Tavaputs Plateaus, Colorado

Event narrative

From the beginning of the month of August, the US Drought Monitor analyzed Extreme (D3) Drought conditions across 100% of Colorado Zone 003 - Roan and Tavaputs Plateaus. With the 8/13/25 update, the US Drought Monitor began analyzing an area of Exceptional (D4) Drought conditions that covered roughly 90% of the zone. The remaining 10% of the zone was analyzed as experiencing Extreme (D3) conditions. These conditions remained unchanged from the 8/13/25 update 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 1290978. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.