Drought Information Statement for Utah and Uinta County, WY Valid July 1, 2026 Issued By: National Weather Service Salt Lake City, UT Contact Information: nws.saltlakecity@noaa.gov This product will be updated by August 5, 2026 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. A State of Emergency in the state of Utah has been declared due to drought conditions statewide. Extreme drought (D3) conditions continue across much of the Utah. Significant wildland fire potential is forecast to continue to be above normal through the month of July across the entire state, and above normal for central and northern Utah in August. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Utah and Uinta County, WY Drought Intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): Near the Utah/Idaho border D3 (Extreme Drought): Much of Utah D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of northern, eastern and southern Utah D1 (Moderate Drought): Northeastern Cache, northern Rich, western Garfield and western Kane Counties. {{DROUGHT_MONITOR}} Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 4-week change map for Utah and Uinta County, WY One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Much of Utah experienced a 1 category change in drought over the last week. {{DROUGHT_CHANGE_MAP}} Precipitation Typical summertime thunderstorms have brought spotty precipitation to portions of Utah over the last month. Those areas that did not receive rain from thunderstorms were well below normal for June. {{PRECIPITATION}} Temperature Temperatures averaged above normal across the entire state during June. This trend has continued over the last week, ending June 26. {{TEMPERATURE}} Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Only 20% of Utah’s area creeks, streams, and rivers are experiencing near or above normal flows, while the remainder are flowing at below normal levels. 24% are at much below normal levels, while 10% are at all time record low flows. Cumulative April-July water supply forecasts remain well below normal this year, with the majority of of sites forecast to see below 30% of normal volume. Only isolated high elevation watersheds in northern Utah are expected to see up to 50-60% of average volume, which are the highest in the state. Agricultural Impacts Sanpete County farmers report alfalfa crops are a total loss. No ground water or irrigation water was available this season. Some farmers in Sanpete County are only expecting a single cutting this year for alfalfa, where they usually get three. Utah County ranchers report grass on rangelands is short and dry. Fire Hazard Impacts A Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisory is in effect for most of Utah. Persistent drought, critically low live and dead fuel moistures, and fully cured fine fuels have created above-normal significant fire potential across eastern Nevada, much of Utah and the Arizona Strip. Recent large fires have demonstrated the potential for rapid fire growth, long-range spotting, and high resistance to control. Forecasted hot and dry conditions are expected to further increase fire danger into July. Widespread level 2 fire restrictions have been enacted across the region. The Governor of Utah declared a State of Emergency order enabling the State Forester to protect municipalities from fires caused by fireworks. Other Impacts The Governor of Utah declared a State of Emergency due to drought conditions. The city of Emery will run out of culinary water by early July due to extremely low flows on Muddy Creek and little water remaining in Julius Reservoir. They are testing old wells in the area for culinary use. No irrigation water is available in Emery City. The main well in Apple Valley has run dry, which was the main source of culinary water for the area. No irrigation deliveries will occur on the Price River system. Senior water rights on the Colorado River in Utah have been cut back. Iron, San Juan, Duchesne, Emery, Uintah, Washington, Wayne, Sevier, and Grand County have declared a drought emergency. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources was adjusting fish stocking statewide to compensate for the drier conditions. Officials were also shifting toward more warm water species that can better handle higher temperatures and lower oxygen levels. Boaters were urged to visit Utah reservoirs and enjoy them earlier in the season before declining water levels limited boat ramp access. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources also recommended that boaters check conditions at their destination before making the trip. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources reported that low water levels and warmer temperatures were already creating challenges for fish populations in many lakes, reservoirs and streams, particularly in southern Utah. Smaller quantities of water heat more quickly, which can lead to very stressful conditions for fish. Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Utah’s statewide average snowpack reached its seasonal peak on March 9th, 2026 approximately 1 month earlier than a typical peak. Lowest ever snowpack conditions observed in Utah’s recorded history as of April 1 (since 1930) -NRCS press release. {{HYDROLOGIC}} Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Reservoir storage averages 64% full, which is 11% lower than the normal for this time of year, and 15% lower than this time last year (all excluding Lake Powell and Flaming Gorge). Reservoir drawdown began to occur in May this year, which is 1-2 months earlier than normal. This will prolong our yearly drawdown period which typically lasts into October each year. Several reservoirs across central and southern Utah are at critically low capacity already. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Water supply forecasts are well below normal for all basins in Utah. Higher elevation watersheds in the north generally range between 45-56% of average on the high end, but many basins across the state are below 30% of average regarding forecast April-July accumulated runoff. Peak runoff has already occurred, when normally it would be just beginning. Daily Model Guidance - 5/5/2026 Agricultural Impacts Summarize conditions/impacts here {{AGRICULTURE}} Fire Hazard Impacts Above normal significant wildland fire potential continues across Utah for July. By August, conditions shift toward normal for the southern tier of Utah, with central and northern Utah remaining above normal. Normal conditions are expected state-wide for September. Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. {{FIRE_WEATHER}} Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Very dry conditions with little chance of widespread precipitation are expected to continue through the next seven days. Hit-or-miss thunderstorms could bring light precipitation to isolated areas. {{QPF_7_DAY}} Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. Summarize conditions and impacts here {{OUTLOOK_8_14_DAY}} Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Odds are tilted toward above normal temperatures for the month of July, state-wide. With the potential development of the North American Monsoon, odds tilt toward above normal precipitation for the entire state in July {{OUTLOOK_MONTHLY}} Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought is forecast to improve across the entire region over the next 3 months. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook {{OUTLOOK_DROUGHT_SEASONAL}}