National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce
U.S. Drought Monitor - Colorado Drought Severity Classification
U.S. Drought Monitor for Colorado

Category

Description

D0

Abnormally Dry

Possible Impacts: Going into drought: short-term dryness slowing planting, growth of crops or pastures. Coming out of drought: some lingering water deficits;  pastures or crops not fully recovered

D1

Moderate Drought

Some damage to crops, pastures; streams, reservoirs, or wells low, some water shortages developing or imminent; voluntary water-use restrictions requested

D2

Severe Drought

Crop or pasture losses likely;  water shortages common; water restrictions imposed

D3

Extreme Drought

Major crop/pasture losses;  widespread water shortages or restrictions

D4

Exceptional Drought

Exceptional and widespread crop/pasture losses; shortages of water in reservoirs, streams, and wells creating water emergencies

 

U.S. DROUGHT OUTLOOKS
(NWS Climate Prediction Center - CPC)

 

One Month Drought Outlook Seasonal Drought Outlook (3 months)

 

DROUGHT TRACKER, VEGETATION, and QUICK DROUGHT INDICES FOR COLORADO

 

Westwide Drought Tracker
(Western Region Climate Center)
Vegetation Drought Response
(Natl Drought Mitigation Center)
Quick Drought Response Index
(Natl Drought Mitigation Center)

 

SOIL MOISTURE

 

10 cm soils in Colorado
(Colorado Climate Center)
top meter soils in Colorado
(Colorado Climate Center)
U.S. Soils, Crops & Drought
(NWS Climate Prediction Center)
Soil Moisture Percentiles or
Topsoil Moisture Monitoring or
  Soil Moisture Anomaly Percentile or
Soil Moisture Percentile or
Crop Moisture Index or
Integrated Drought Indices or
Palmer Drought Index Percentiles or
Standardized Runoff Index

 

U.S. Drought Monitor Classification Change - Colorado

 

3 month 6 month 12 month