Drought Information Statement for South Central and Southeast Colorado Valid March 10th, 2024 Issued By: NWS Pueblo, Colorado Contact Information: nws.pueblo@noaa.gov This product will be updated by April 11th, 2024 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/pub/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 Exceptional Drought: N/A D3 Extreme Drought: N/A. D2 Severe Drought: Portions of Saguache, Rio Grande, Alamosa, Conejos and Costilla counties. D1 Moderate Drought: Portions of Saguache, Mineral, Rio Grande, Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Huerfano and Las Animas counties. D0: Abnormally Dry: Portions of Chaffee, Saguache, Mineral, Fremont, Custer, Huerfano, and Las Animas counties. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: N/A. No Change: Most of south central Colorado. Drought Improved: Portions of the higher terrain along the Continental Divide, the San Luis Valley and southeast Mountains. Precipitation Winter precipitation (December of 2023 through February of 2024) was near to slightly below normal across south central Colorado and above to well above normal across southeast Colorado. Temperature While a few passing weather systems brought spells of cold weather along with one “Arctic Blast” in mid January, most of south central and southeast Colorado saw above normal temperatures throughout the Winter of 2023-2024. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Statewide snowpack increased to 97 percent of median at the end of February, with the greatest gains across the northern mountains and basins. Agricultural Impacts Beneficial moisture has improved soil moisture though some soil moisture deficits remain in place across portions of south central Colorado. Fire Hazard Impacts Despite the beneficial moisture, cured fuels and occasional bouts of strong winds, has led to increased fire danger across the snow free areas of south central and southeast Colorado, with several wildfires being reported across southeast Colorado over the past month. Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Current 7 day average stream flows are at or above normal across most of south central and southeast Colorado. However, some gauges have been turned off due to predominance of ice this time of year. NRCS data indicated statewide mountain precipitation for the month of February was at 131 percent of median, as compared to 99 percent of median at this time last year. Water Year to date precipitation is now at 95 percent of median, as compared to 114 percent at this time last year. In the Arkansas basin, February precipitation came in at 143 percent of median, as compared to 89 percent of median at this time last year. Water Year to date precipitation is up to 101 percent of median, as compared to 92 percent last year. In the Upper Rio Grande basin, February precipitation came in at 145 percent of median, as compared to 118 percent of median at this time last year. Water Year to date precipitation is now at 85 percent of median, as compared to 103 percent of median at this time last year. Hydrologic Conditions Colorado Snowpack As of March 9th, Colorado Statewide Snowpack is running at 97 percent of median. In the Arkansas basin, snowpack is at 89 percent of median. March 1st NRCS streamflow forecasts ranged from 58% of median at Huerfano River near Redwing to 110% of median at Chalk Creek near Nathrop. In the Upper Rio Grande basin, snowpack was at 86 percent of median. March 1st NRCS streamflow forecasts ranged from 36% of median at Sangre de Cristo Creek to 94% of median for the Conejos River below the Platoro Reservoir. Agricultural and Water Storage Impacts CPC data indicates some improvements in soil moisture with some deficits still in place across portions of the San Luis Valley. NRCS data indicates statewide Colorado Reservoir Storage was at 100 percent of median at the end of February, as compared to 85 percent of median at this same time last year. In the Arkansas basin, reservoir storage was at 112 percent of median at the end of February, as compared to 91 percent of median at this same time last year. In the Rio Grande basin, reservoir storage was at 119 percent of median at the end of February, as compared to 107 percent of median at this same time last year. Fire Hazard Impacts Warm and windy conditions in February, along with cured fuels has led to increased fire danger across the snow free areas of south central and southeast Colorado. Long-Range Outlooks The CPC Temperature and Precipitation Outlook for the rest of March, April and May gives equal chances of above, below and near normal temperatures and precipitation across the region. Drought Outlook Drought conditions are predicted to persist across portions of south central Colorado for the rest March through May.