Drought in Southwestern San Juan Mountains, Colorado

With the 3/24 US Drought Monitor update, an area of Extreme (D3) Drought was analyzed as covering approximately 25% of Colorado Zone 019 - Southwestern San Juan Mountains, with the remaining 75% under Severe (D2) Drought conditions. With the 3/31 US Drought Monitor update, an area of Exceptional (D4) Drought had developed, covering approximately 20% of the zone. Extreme (D3) Drought now covered 78% of the zone, with 2% still under Severe (D2) Drought conditions. No reports of impacts or losses related to drought conditions in the zone have been 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.