Drought — Flattop Mountains, Colorado

2025-09-01 to 2025-09-30 · Flattop Mountains, Colorado

Event narrative

At the beginning of the month of September, the US Drought Monitor analyzed an area of Exceptional (D4) Drought as covering roughly 90% of Colorado Zone 013 - Flattop Mountains, with the remaining 10% under Extreme (D3) Drought conditions. With the 9/3 Drought Monitor update, the area of Exceptional (D4) Drought was completely removed, with 100% of the zone now under Extreme (D3) Drought conditions. With the 9/17 update, Extreme (D3) Drought coverage was reduced to roughly 90% of the zone, and with the 9/24 update it was reduced further, to cover 80% of the zone. From this point to the end of the month there were no substantial changes to drought conditions.

Wider weather episode

The month of September continued to run above normal in terms of temperatures, and below normal in terms of precipitation. However, there were a few periods of heavy rain across the region, particularly around September 12th, and again at the end of the month, which helped to improve drought conditions across the region. A dry end to the month did allow for some worsening drought around the Four Corners.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1295051. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.