Drought Information Statement for South Central and Southeast Colorado Valid May 19th, 2024 Issued By: NWS Pueblo, Colorado Contact Information: nws.pueblo@noaa.gov This product will be updated June 12th, 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. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/ for regional drought status updates. Drought deepens across portions of the southeast Plains Drought improves across portions of south central Colorado U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): N/A D3 Extreme Drought: N/A. D2 Severe Drought: Most of Prowers County into extreme eastern portions of Bent County. D1 Moderate Drought: Portions of Kiowa, Bent, Prowers and Baca Counties. D0: Abnormally Dry: Portions of Kiowa, Crowley, Otero, Bent, Las Animas, and Baca Counties, as well as portions of Saguache, Mineral, Rio Grande, Conejos and Costilla Counties. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Portions of the southeast Plains. 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 Much of April saw warm, dry and windy conditions across south central and southeast Colorado. However, two storm systems at the end of April and two more through the month of May thus far, have brought widespread precipitation to areas over and near the higher terrain. Portions of the far southeastern Plains have missed out on much of the precipitation associated with these passing weather systems. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts April precipitation and snowpack was below median, however, May storms thus far, has boosted snowpack, especially across the northern basins. (NRCS Colorado Snowpack) Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture at and above normal across south central Colorado with soil moisture deficits developing across the southeast Plains. (CPC Daily Soil Moisture Ranking) Fire Hazard Impacts Spring moisture and temperatures has aided in green up and has lowered fire danger across most of the snow free areas of south central and southeast Colorado. 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, save the far southeast Plains. NRCS data indicated statewide mountain precipitation for the month of April was at 81 percent of median, as compared to 71 percent of median at this time last year. Water Year to date precipitation is now down to 98 percent of median, as compared to 113 percent at this time last year. In the Arkansas basin, April precipitation came in at 62 percent of median, as compared to 71 percent of median at this time last year. Water Year to date precipitation is now down to 99 percent of median, as compared to 90 percent of median at this time last year. In the Upper Rio Grande basin, April precipitation came in at 53 percent of median, as compared to 58 percent of median at this time last year. Water Year to date precipitation is now down to 88 percent of median, as compared to 104 percent of median at this time last year. Hydrologic Conditions Colorado Snowpack On May 1st, NRCS data indicated Colorado Statewide Snowpack was at 90 percent of median. Storms through May thus far, has boosted snowpack, especially northern basins. In the Arkansas basin, May 1st snowpack was at 84 percent of median. May 1st NRCS streamflow forecasts ranged from 52% of median at Grape Creek near Westcliffe to 127% of median at Chalk Creek near Nathrop. In the Upper Rio Grande basin, May 1st snowpack was at 56 percent of median. May 1st NRCS streamflow forecasts ranged from 32% of median at Sangre de Cristo Creek to 116% of median at Saguache Creek near Saguache. Agricultural and Water Storage Impacts CPC data indicates soil moisture around seasonal norms across south central Colorado with some deficits indicated across portions of southeast Colorado. NRCS data indicated statewide Colorado Reservoir Storage was at 99 percent of median at the end of April, as compared to 86 percent of median at this time last year. In the Arkansas basin, reservoir storage was at 108 percent of median at the end of April, as compared to 91 percent of median at this time last year. In the Rio Grande basin, reservoir storage was at 113 percent of median at the end of April, as compared to 104 percent of median at this time last year. Fire Hazard Impacts Mid May moisture has helped with green up and has lowered fire danger across most of the snow free areas of south central and southeast Colorado. WPC 7 Day Precipitation Forecast (vaild 00Z May 20th-27th) Keeps much of south central and southeast Colorado dry with the bulk of the precipitation expected to stay across northern portions of the state. Long-Range Outlooks The CPC Temperature and Precipitation Outlook for the summer (June, July and August), leans to above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation across south central and southeast Colorado. Drought Outlook Drought conditions are predicted to persist and expand across portions of south central Colorado for the rest May through August.