Drought Information Statement for the  Mojave Desert and Eastern Sierra 
Valid November 27, 2025
Issued By: WFO Las Vegas, NV
Contact Information: nws.lasvegas@noaa.gov

This product will be updated 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.

Heavy precipitation fell across the area in mid-November, bringing valley rain and mountain snow above 6000 feet in elevation. 

A strong start to Water Year 2026 allowed for Drought Monitor improvements for much of the area, including the elimination of remaining D3. 


U.S. Drought Monitor

Drought Intensity and Extent

D4 (Exceptional Drought): None. 
D3 (Extreme Drought): None. 
D2 (Severe Drought): Most of Lincoln and central Nye counties, eastern Esmeralda County, far northern Mohave County. 
D1 (Moderate Drought): Most of Clark and Mohave counties, central Esmeralda County, and Inyo and San Bernardino counties along the California/Nevada state line. 
D0 (Abnormally Dry): Sections of central Inyo and San Bernardino counties, western Esmeralda County. 


Recent Change in Drought Intensity

Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
Drought Worsened: No degradation was observed. 
No Change: Parts of eastern Inyo and San Bernardino counties, eastern Lincoln County, all of Clark and Esmeralda counties.  
Drought Improved: Central and southern Nye County, western Lincoln County, most of Inyo, San Bernardino, and Mohave counties.  


Precipitation

30-day precipitation totals are above-average for most of the area due to daily rainfall lasting from November 14 to 22.  
This includes 1.64 inches of rain in Las Vegas, 1.39 inches above normal for November. 
Snow water equivalent is 2.6 inches in the Spring Mountains, well above the median of 0.4 inch. 


Temperature

Average maximum temperatures have been above average over the last 30 days. 


Hydrologic Impacts 

Lake Mead is at 1,058.12 feet in elevation, or 32 percent full. 

Agricultural Impacts
There are no known impacts at this time. 

Fire Hazard Impacts
There are no known impacts at this time. 

Other Impacts
There are no known impacts at this time.  

Mitigation Actions
Southern Nevada Water Authority is on the winter landscape watering schedule through the end of February.  


Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts

Lake Mead is at 1,058.12 feet in elevation, or 32% full. 
Lake Mohave is at 640.68 feet in elevation, or 90% full. 
Lake Havasu is at 449.49 feet in elevation, or 98% full. 
The Bureau of Reclamation 24-month study indicates that Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, and Lake Havasu elevations increase through February 2026. Lake Havasu will remain steady.  


Long-Range Outlooks

The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
There is a 33 to 40% probability of above-normal temperatures areawide through February 28. 
There are equal chances for above and below-normal precipitation across southern Nevada, Inyo County, and northern Mohave County through February 28.  
There is a 33 to 40% probability of below-normal precipitation in San Bernardino County and southern Mohave County  through February 28.


Drought Outlook

The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Drought is expected to persist through at least February 28, 2026 for most of southern Nevada, northwestern Arizona, and southeastern California.