Drought Information Statement for Utah and Uinta County, WY Valid August 12, 2026 Issued By: National Weather Service Salt Lake City, UT Contact Information: nws.saltlakecity@noaa.gov This product will be updated by September 10, 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. Severe (D2) to extreme drought (D3) conditions continue across much of the Utah. Significant wildland fire potential is forecast to remain above normal through the month of August across northern and central Utah, shifting to just northern Utah for the month of September. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought Intensity and Extent D3 (Extreme Drought): Much of western and central Utah D2 (Severe Drought): Most of the rest of Utah as well as Uinta County, WY. D1 (Moderate Drought): Northeastern Cache, Rich, northern Summit, western Garfield, western Kane and southwestern Uinta County. {{DROUGHT_MONITOR}} Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Minor Improvement: A few isolated areas in Utah and Uinta County, WY saw a 1 category improvement in drought over the last week. {{DROUGHT_CHANGE_MAP}} Precipitation A typical monsoon pattern developed across much of Utah over the last 30 days. Those areas that did not receive rain from monsoon thunderstorms were below normal over the last 30 days. {{PRECIPITATION}} Temperature Temperatures averaged above normal the entire region for the 30 day period ending August 8. This trend has continued over the last week, ending August 8. {{TEMPERATURE}} Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Only 25% of Utah’s area creeks, streams, and rivers are experiencing near or above normal flows, while the remainder are flowing at below normal levels. 17% are at much below normal levels, while 10% are at all time record low flows. Above average wildfire activity this season coupled with monsoonal thunderstorms experienced over the last month has resulted in multiple large and destructive post-fire flash floods and debris flows focused in Beaver, Garfield, Piute, Sevier, and Washington counties. Reservoir drawdown began in early May, 1-2 months earlier than normal. The median drawdown between May-July is typically 1%. This year the drawdown has been 13%. Agricultural Impacts Uinta County, WY ranchers report the driest conditions in decades with animal stress and decreased stock weights. Supplemental feed and water hauling has been needed, with one rancher reporting hauling more water this year than in all the years previous combined. Emery County ranchers and farmers continue to report the driest conditions in memory. Cities are cutting water and irrigation companies have severely reduced water allocations to users. Duchesne County ranchers report pastures are completely dry. The governor of Wyoming has issued an executive order authorizing emergency relief permits for vehicles transporting oversize and overweight loads of livestock feed and livestock across Wyoming due to widespread drought, extreme heat, low humidity and wildfires across Wyoming during the spring and summer of 2026. Fire Hazard Impacts A Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisory is in effect for central and northwest 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 and parts of northern and central Utah. Recent large fires have demonstrated the potential for rapid fire growth, long-range spotting, and high resistance to control even after periods of higher humidity and scattered showers. Widespread level 2 fire restrictions have been enacted across the region. Other Impacts The Wyoming Game and Fish Department issued a safety reminder warning motorists that big game animals may cluster near roads as they search for food and water. Greener vegetation is often found near roads due to runoff from roadways. Drought contributed to a short and early wildflower season in Utah’s mountains. The Wahweap ramp at Lake Powell continues to need to be expanded due to lowering lake levels. Due to lowering lake levels, Bullfrog marina was moved to deeper water, and a new boat ramp and marina access will need to be constructed. Estimate cost for these facilities is around $73 million. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has temporarily restricted recreational target shooting with a firearm on wildlife management areas in 16 Utah Counties. Fishing limits were increased at a number of reservoirs due to drought. Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Reservoir storage averages 54% full, which is 13% lower than the normal for this time of year, and 16% 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. Fire Hazard Impacts Above normal significant wildland fire potential continues across central and northern Utah for August. By September, conditions shift toward normal for central and southern Utah with northern Utah remaining above normal. {{FIRE_WEATHER}} Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Another monsoon surge will continue through Friday, with drier conditions developing across the region this weekend. Moisture may increase once again early next week. {{QPF_7_DAY}} Long-Range Outlooks Odds generally favor above-normal temperatures for the month of August, state-wide. With the North American Monsoon ongoing, odds tilt toward above normal precipitation for the entire state in August. {{OUTLOOK_MONTHLY}} Drought Outlook Drought is forecast to improve across the entire region over the next 3 months. {{OUTLOOK_DROUGHT_SEASONAL}}