Drought Information Statement for the Mojave Desert and Eastern Sierra Valid July 15, 2025 Issued By: WFO Las Vegas, NV Contact Information: nws.lasvegas@noaa.gov This product will be updated around August 21, 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/VEF/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/ for regional drought status updates. Thunderstorms brought precipitation to parts of the forecast area early in July. Some storms brought strong winds and small hail. Several wildfires are active around the region. U.S. Drought Monitor Drought Intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None. D3 (Extreme Drought): Central Nye County, western Lincoln County, eastern Clark County, sections of Mohave County, and Death Valley in Inyo County. D2 (Severe Drought): Remaining areas of Lincoln, Clark, and Mohave counties, eastern San Bernardino, Inyo, and Esmeralda counties. D1 (Moderate Drought): Western San Bernardino County, sections of central Inyo County, central Esmeralda County. D0 (Abnormally Dry): The Eastern Sierra, Owens Valley, and White Mountains in Inyo County, far western Esmeralda County. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: No widespread degradation was observed. No Change: Most of southern Nevada, southeastern California, and northwestern Arizona. Drought Improved: A section of far northern Mohave County. Precipitation A round of monsoon storms in early July brought precipitation to parts of northwestern Arizona, southern Nevada, and southeastern California. Some storms produced damaging winds on July 1-2 and small hail on July 3. Temperature Average maximum temperatures over the last 7 days have been near normal for most of the area, with below normal temperatures over the highest mountains. Average maximum temperatures over the last 30 days have been near to slightly above normal across the area. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Lake Mead is at 1,054.48 feet in elevation, or 31 percent full. Agricultural Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Fire Hazard Impacts The Gothic Fire in central Nye County is 36,500 acres in size as of July 14. Other Impacts Bighorn sheep in the Muddy Mountains are being captured and relocated to northern Nevada and Utah due to a lack of food and water. Mitigation Actions Southern Nevada Water Authority switched to the summer landscape watering schedule. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Lake Mead is at 1,054.45 feet in elevation, or 31% full. Lake Mohave is at 643.52 feet in elevation, or 95% full. Lake Havasu is at 448.49 feet in elevation, or 95% full. The Bureau of Reclamation 24-month study indicates that Lake Mead will remain steady and, Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu will decrease through the end of WY 2025. Fire Hazard Impacts Several fires have developed across the region over the last two months. The largest active fire is the Gothic Fire, covering 36,500 acres in central Nye County as of July 14. No structures or public spaces are currently threatened. The Mount Irish Fire in Lincoln County burned over 6,000 acres and is 99 percent contained. Trout Canyon Fire on the western face of the Spring Mountains burned 30 acres and prompted the evacuation of the town of Trout Canyon on July 6. It is now 100 percent contained. Smoke from wildfires near the Grand Canyon brought hazy skies to the area in mid-July. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Thunderstorm activity will increase between Wednesday, July 16 and Friday, July 18, then gradually decrease over the weekend. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage There is a 40 to 60% probability of above normal temperatures across the area through September 30. There are equal chances for above or below normal precipitation through September 30. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought is expected to persist through September 30 for most of southern Nevada, northwestern Arizona, and southeastern California. Drought may develop in the Eastern Sierra, Owens Valley, and White Mountains.