Drought Information Statement for South Central and Southeast Colorado Valid June 23rd, 2024 Issued By: NWS Pueblo, Colorado Contact Information: nws.pueblo@noaa.gov This product will be updated July 18th, 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. Moderate to Severe drought conditions persist across the Southeast Plains U.S. Drought Monitor Valid Tuesday June 18th, 2024 Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): N/A D3 Extreme Drought: N/A. D2 Severe Drought: Northeastern Baca County into southeast and east central Prowers County. D1 Moderate Drought: Southeast Otero County southern Bent County, southern and eastern Prowers County and most of Baca County. D0: Abnormally Dry: Portions of Kiowa, Crowley, Otero, Bent, Prowers, 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 south of the Hwy 50 Corridor. No Change: Most of south central and southeast Colorado. Drought Improved: Portions of the southeast Plains along and north of the Hwy 50 Corridor. Precipitation March of 2024 saw periods of mild and dry weather along with occasional passing weather systems, especially at the end of the month, bringing widespread precipitation to south central and southeast Colorado. April saw a predominantly westerly flow pattern across the Rockies bringing mainly warm, dry and windy weather to the region, save for 2 storm systems towards the end of the month. May brought an active weather pattern, especially for the middle and end of the month, with Mother’s Day Weekend bringing widespread rain and heavy mountain snowfall, while the end of the month featured strong thunderstorms across the southeast Plains. Spring (March-May) total precipitation was generally at and above normal over and near the higher terrain and generally below normal across the southeast Plains. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Late May precipitation boosted statewide snowpack, especially in the northern basins, leading to enhanced runoff and minor flooding along portions of the Arkansas River through June thus far. Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture running at and above normal across south central Colorado with some soil moisture deficits developing across the southeast Plains. Fire Hazard Impacts Spring moisture helped with green up, however warm temperatures and more spotty precipitation through June, thus far, has allowed for fine fuels to dry out across portions of 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 May was at 107 percent of median, as compared to 90 percent of median at this time last year. Water Year to date precipitation is 99 percent of median, as compared to 110 percent at this time last year. In the Arkansas basin, May precipitation came in at 153 percent of median, as compared to 143 percent of median at this time last year. Water Year to date precipitation is 105 percent of median, as compared to 95 percent of median at this time last year. In the Upper Rio Grande basin, May precipitation came in at 137 percent of median, as compared to 150 percent of median at this time last year. Water Year to date precipitation is 90 percent of median, as compared to 106 percent of median at this time last year. Hydrologic Conditions Colorado Snowpack On June 1st, NRCS data indicated Colorado Statewide Snowpack was at 137 percent of median, compared to 121 percent of median at this same time last year. In the Arkansas basin, June 1st snowpack was at 168 percent of median. June 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, June 1st snowpack was at 0 percent of median (melted out). June 1st NRCS streamflow forecasts ranged from 32% of median at the Conejos River near Platoro Reservoir 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 slight deficits noted across portions of southeast Colorado. NRCS data indicated statewide Colorado Reservoir Storage was at 94 percent of median at the end of May, as compared to 98 percent of median at this time last year. In the Arkansas basin, reservoir storage was at 100 percent of median at the end of May, as compared to 98 percent of median at this time last year. In the Rio Grande basin, reservoir storage was at 104 percent of median at the end of May, as compared to 123 percent of median at this time last year. Fire Hazard Impacts Spring moisture helped with green up, however warm temperatures and more spotty precipitation through June, thus far, has allowed for fine fuels to dry out across portions of central and southeast Colorado. Long-Range Monthly Outlook The CPC Temperature and Precipitation Outlook for the month of July leans to above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation across south central and southeast Colorado. Long-Range Three Month Outlook The CPC Temperature and Precipitation Outlook for rest of summer (July and August) and into September, continues to indicate better chances of above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation across south central and southeast Colorado. Drought Three Month Outlook Drought conditions are predicted to persist and expand across portions of south central and southeast Colorado for the rest June through September.