Drought in Northwestern San Juan Mountains, Colorado

With the 3/24 US Drought Monitor update, an area of Extreme (D3) Drought was analyzed as covering approximately 15% of Colorado Zone 018 - Northwestern San Juan Mountains, with the remaining 85% under Severe (D2) Drought. With the 3/31 US Drought Monitor update, an area of Exceptional (D4) Drought developed, covering approximately 5% of the zone. Extreme (D3) Drought covered 35% of the zone, Severe (D2) Drought covered 45% of the zone, and Moderate (D1) Drought covered 15% of the zone. No reports of impacts or losses related to drought conditions in the zone were received.

After a week of temperatures running close to 30 degrees above normal, and a continued lack of precipitation, drought expanded significantly across eastern Utah and western Colorado. Areas that had been in Moderate (D1) to Severe (D2) Drought now worsened into Extreme (D3) to Exceptional (D4) Drought.