Drought — Elkhead and Park Mountains, Colorado

2025-08-01 to 2025-08-31 · Elkhead and Park Mountains, Colorado

Event narrative

At the beginning of the month of August, the US Drought Monitor analyzed an area of Extreme (D3) Drought that covered roughly half of Colorado Zone 004 - Elkhead and Park Mountains. With the 8/20/25 Drought Monitor update, the area of Extreme (D3) Drought expanded to cover 100% of the zone. From this point through the end of the month, the drought conditions in the zone remained unchanged.

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 1290995. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.