Drought — Uncompahgre Plateau and Dallas Divide, Colorado

2025-08-01 to 2025-08-31 · Uncompahgre Plateau and Dallas Divide, Colorado

Event narrative

At the beginning of the month of August, the US Drought Monitor analyzed an area of Extreme (D3) Drought conditions that covered roughly 50% of Colorado Zone 017 - Uncompahgre Plateau and Dallas Divide. Drought conditions remained unchanged until the 8/20/25 US Drought Monitor update, which expanded the area of Extreme (D3) Drought to cover roughly 2/3 of the zone. The coverage of Extreme (D3) Drought conditions then remained unchanged from the 8/20/25 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 1291243. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.