Drought in Tavaputs Plateau, Utah

At the beginning of the month of August, the US Drought Monitor analyzed an area of Extreme (D3) Drought conditions that covered roughly 1/3 of Utah Zone 025 - Tavaputs Plateau, mainly across the far western edge of the zone. With the 8/20/25 US Drought Monitor update, the area of Extreme (D3) Drought conditions was expanded to cover roughly 2/3 of the zone. From the 8/20/25 update through the end of the month, conditions remained unchanged.

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.