Drought in West Elk and Sawatch Mountains, Colorado

With the 2/11 US Drought Monitor update, Colorado Zone 012 - West Elk and Sawatch Mountains were analyzed as having developed Extreme (D3) Drought over roughly 2% of the zone. Severe (D2) Drought covered 48% of the zone, with the remaining 50% under Moderate (D1) Drought conditions. From this point through the end of the month there was no change to drought conditions in the zone. No reports of impacts or damages related to this drought were received.

As the month of February continued hot and dry, there was no relief from the worsening drought conditions. Extreme (D3) Drought either redeveloped or expanded across northwest Colorado and into the southern portion of the central Colorado Divide mountains. No areas of Exceptional (D4) Drought developed or expanded during the month.