Drought Information Statement for Western CO & Eastern UT Valid August 8th, 2025 Issued By: WFO Grand Junction, CO Contact Information: This product will be updated if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/gjt/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/ for regional drought status updates. D3 - Extreme Drought conditions have spread across much of west-northwest CO and east to northeast UT Elsewhere, D1 to D2 conditions exists U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent: D3 (Extreme Drought): Expansion of extreme drought engulfs most of the Upper Colorado, Yampa, White, Green and the North Fork Gunnison River basins D2 (Severe Drought): Expansion along the CO Divide and lower elevations across southwest CO and southeast UT D1 (Moderate Drought): Now covers Uintah basin and the southwest San Juans D0: (Abnormally Dry): Drought categories have worsened across the area and are now more severe than D0. Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change: Drought Worsened: One class degradation over the lower Colorado River, from Utah’s Grand Flats and into Mesa County in western CO. D3 conditions now expands to the CO/WY and UT/WY borders. Also, D0 conditions across the San Juans were removed and worsened to D1-Moderate Drought. Drought Improved: NA Precipitation Monsoon activity continues to run well below normal for western CO and eastern UT 30-day precipitation estimates are well below normal Isolated storms produced 0.5 to 1.00 inches of precipitation in early August. Although, majority of the region received less than 0.5 inch over the last 30 days Temperature Abnormally warm temperatures have continued to encompassed the west through the month of July. Temperatures show a greater departure from normal since the beginning of August. Fire Hazard Impacts Significant wildfire potential outlooks show above normal fire potential persists across eastern Utah and west to northwest Colorado through the month of August. Regions with the potential for above normal fire activity in succeeding months shifts to the northwest, with normal conditions expected over Utah and Colorado by September. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast The 7-Day precipitation forecast falls below normal across the Western Slope Weak monsoon moisture will not support widespread precipitation west of the Divide. The next best chance for measurable precipitation arrives late next week/weekend Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage 50 to 70% chance of warmer than normal temperatures across western CO and eastern UT through the month of August 40 to 50% chance of precipitation running below normal, too. The signature of the precipitation outlook would indicate a less active and/or weaker monsoon through the end of summer Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Water conservation is still encouraged Increased algae blooms with reduced flow in creeks, streams and rivers and warmer water temperatures Agricultural Impacts Pastures provide marginal feeding for livestock, resulting in supplemental feeding and hauling water for livestock is required Hay production has been about 33% of normal Crop conditions are very poor - extreme degree of loss to yield potential, complete or near crop failure due to less water for irrigation, reduced yield, insect infestation, and plant stress Fire Hazard Impacts Extreme fire behavior in Mesa, Garfield and Rio Blanco counties in western CO Drought and high winds have resulted in rapid fire growth for several fires across western CO over the last 7 days Other Impacts Colorado fisheries closed to fishing along the Yampa River below Stagecoach Dam due to low flow and prevent overfishing Several wildfires have diminished air quality and affected CO’s outdoor recreation economy. The BLM closed public lands access in Mesa, Delta, and Montrose counties, and the South Rim Fire has closed the Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information.