Drought Information Statement for South Central and Southeast Colorado Valid September 11th, 2025 Issued By: NWS Pueblo, Colorado Contact Information: nws.pueblo@noaa.gov This product will be updated by October 17th, 2025 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/pub/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/ for regional drought status updates. Moderate to Severe Drought conditions remain across portions of south central Colorado U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): N/A D3 Extreme Drought: N/A D2 Severe Drought: Northern and western Lake, western Saguache, Mineral, western Rio Grande, and central Conejos, counties. D1 Moderate Drought: The rest of Lake, Chaffee, central and southern Saguache, the rest of Rio Grande and Conejos, northern and western Alamosa, southwestern Custer, northwestern Huerfano, and north central Las Animas, counties. D0: Abnormally Dry: Western Fremont, northeast Saguache, northwest through southeast Custer, eastern Huerfano, Costilla, north central Las Animas, central into eastern Otero, western Bent, southeastern Prowers and northeastern Baca, counties. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Portions of the Sangre de Cristo mountains into western portions of the San Luis Valley, and portions of the southeast plains. No Change: Portions of the south central Colorado. Drought Improved: Portions of the southwest, central and southeast mountains and southeast plains. 3 Month Precipitation and Temperature Summary The start of the summer of 2025 was a fairly active, with several passing weather systems bringing cool and wet periods throughout the month of June, including periods of severe weather across eastern Colorado. June also saw periods of upper level ridging allowing for warm and dry periods throughout the month as well. Both July and August saw a meandering ridge of high pressure across the Rockies, which brought periods of very warm and dry conditions, as well as cooler and wetter periods, with periods of severe weather and heavy monsoon rainfall across portions of south central and southeast Colorado. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Current streamflow conditions are generally at and above normal across southeast Colorado and at and below normal across south central Colorado. Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture is around seasonal levels across south central and southeast Colorado, save for above normal levels across the far southeast plains. Fire Hazard Impacts Fuel status is deemed critical across much of the higher terrain of south central Colorado. Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Latest 7 day average stream flows are generally at and above normal across southeast Colorado, and generally below normal across south central Colorado. NRCS data indicates statewide mountain precipitation for the month of July was 73 percent of median, as compared to 77 percent of median at the same time last year. This brings statewide Water Year 2025 to date precipitation to 85 percent of median, as compared to 99 percent of median at the same time last year. In the Arkansas basin, July precipitation was 111 percent of median, as compared to 83 percent of median at the same time last year. This brings Arkansas basin Water Year 2025 to date precipitation to 96 percent of median, as compared to 108 percent of median at the same time last year. In the Upper Rio Grande basin, July precipitation was 102 percent of median, as compared to 76 percent of median at the same time last year. This brings Upper Rio Grande basin Water Year 2025 to date precipitation to 85 percent of median, as compared to 98 percent of median at the same time last year. Agricultural and Water Storage Impacts Latest CPC data indicates soil moisture is running around seasonal norms across south central and southeast Colorado, save for slightly above normal across the far SE Plains. NRCS data indicated statewide Colorado Reservoir Storage was at 83 percent of median at the end of July, as compared to 94 percent of median at the same time last year. In the Arkansas basin, reservoir storage was at 101 percent of median at the end of July, as compared to 110 percent of median at the same time last year. In the Rio Grande basin, reservoir storage was at 106 percent of median at the end of July, as compared to 106 percent of median at the same time last year. Long-Range Monthly Outlook for September The CPC Temperature and Precipitation Outlook for the month of September leans to above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation across south central and southeast Colorado, save for a nod to above normal precipitation across the far southeast plains. Long-Range Three Month Outlook (September-October) The CPC outlook for September through November leans to above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation across south central and southeast Colorado. Drought Three Month Outlook Drought conditions look to persist and expand across south central Colorado into portions of the eastern Colorado through the Fall of 2025.