Drought Information Statement for Utah and Uinta County, WY Valid May 9, 2025 Issued By: National Weather Service Salt Lake City, UT Contact Information: nws.saltlakecity@noaa.gov This product will be updated June 10, 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/SLC/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates for regional drought status updates. Extreme (D3) drought conditions continue across Washington and southwest Iron County. Extreme (D3) drought conditions will persist across this area through the next month, with expansion of severe to extreme (D2 to D3) drought likely across central and southern Utah over the next 1 to 2 months. With drought conditions persisting or worsening, the threat of significant wildfire will increase across portions of southern Utah by early June. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None. D3 (Extreme Drought): Washington and southwestern Iron County. D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of west central, southern and eastern Utah. D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of northwestern, central, south central and east central Utah. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Portions of northern Utah and Uinta County, WY. Precipitation Precipitation average near to above normal across southern Utah, with most precipitation falling in one significant storm. Northern and central Utah remain largely below normal over the last 30 days. Temperature Temperatures averaged below normal across southern Utah, transitioning to above normal across northern Utah over the 7 days ending May 5. Over the last 30 days, temperatures have averaged above normal state-wide. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Water Supply forecast across southwestern Utah remain less than 30% of average for the April-July runoff period per the latest Colorado Basin River Forecast Center (CBRFC) May 1, 2025 official forecast. The Sevier River at Hatch and Coal Creek forecast ranks within the top three lowest water volumes on record. Record low average soil moisture levels exist within the 8-20 inch depth across southwestern, south-central, and southeastern Utah per Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Snow Survey. Agricultural Impacts Farmers in Emery County report fair crop conditions, with possible yield loss. Crops were planted later than normal. Plant stress and increased irrigation was noted. Ranchers in Emery County reported very poor pasture conditions, with very little or no feed in pastures. Supplemental feeding is required to maintain livestock. Ranchers in Iron County reported dry ponds necessitating moving cattle to high elevation summer pastures a month earlier than normal. They are concerned if trends continue, cattle will need to be removed from summer pastures early and fed hay. Kane County ranchers reported hauling water and selling older cattle because there wasn’t enough grass to feed their herds. Fire Hazard Impacts Fuel specialists report that fuel moisture remains below normal across central and southern Utah. Other Impacts Utah has declared a State of Emergency for drought across 17 counties of Utah, generally encompassing central and southern Utah. Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Water supply forecasts continue to range between 50-90% of average runoff across northern and central Utah. Southern Utah ranges from 50-70% of average runoff across the Tushar Range to less than 30% across far southern Utah. Fire Hazard Impacts Significant wildland fire potential is near normal through May. By June, southern Utah is expected to see above normal significant wildland fire potential. Significant wildland fire potential will remain above normal across higher elevations of southern and central Utah through July. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Additional precipitation is likely over the next week, with the heaviest precipitation expected Tuesday into Wednesday across northern Utah. Current forecast amounts across northern Utah range from 0.50-1.00”. Long-Range Outlooks The May outlook tilts the odds toward above normal precipitation across much of Utah, with the exception of the far southern portion of the state. Similarly, the odds are tilted toward above normal temperatures for much of northern and eastern Utah. Drought Outlook The drought outlook for Utah continues to indicate drought will persist across much of the state through the end of July.