Drought Information Statement for South Central and Southeast Colorado 
Valid September 5th, 2024
Issued By: NWS Pueblo, Colorado
Contact Information:  nws.pueblo@noaa.gov
This product will be updated by Dec 5th, 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 drought conditions increasing across the Southeast Plains

U.S. Drought Monitor

Drought intensity and Extent
D4 (Exceptional Drought): N/A 
D3 Extreme Drought:  N/A.  
D2 Severe Drought:  N/A    
D1 Moderate Drought:  Portions of Teller, El Paso, Fremont, Pueblo, Huerfano, Otero, Bent Kiowa and Prowers counties.  
D0: Abnormally Dry:  Portions of El Paso, Pueblo, Fremont, Custer, Costilla, Las Animas, Otero, Bent,  Kiowa, Prowers, Baca and Chaffee counties.    

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
Drought Worsened:  Portions of the  southeast mountains and plains. 
No Change: Most of south central Colorado.
Drought Improved: Portions of Saguache and Chaffee counties.    

Precipitation

The Summer of 2024 featured a meandering ridge of high pressure across the Rockies, which brought periods of very warm temperatures, as well as periods of abundant available moisture, heavy rain, severe storms and cooler temperatures. 

Summer (June-August) total precipitation was at and above normal across south central Colorado and generally below normal across the southeast Colorado. 

Temperatures across the region where generally above normal in June and August. July featured near to below normal temperatures, leading to generally above normal temperatures across south central and southeast Colorado for the Summer (June-August) as a whole.

The Summer of 2024 was the 2nd, 4th and 6th warmest on record in Alamosa, Colorado Springs and Pueblo, respectively. 

Summary of Impacts

Hydrologic Impacts 
Stream flows are at or above normal across most of south central and southeast Colorado, save for portions of the southeast mountains and plains. 

Agricultural Impacts
Soil moistures are running at and above normal across south central Colorado with some soil moisture deficits developing across the southeast Plains. 

Fire Hazard Impacts
N/A  

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 for portions of the southeast mountains and plains.  

NRCS data indicates statewide mountain precipitation for the month of August was at 167 percent of median, as compared to 119 percent of median at this time last year. Water Year to date precipitation is 104 percent of median, as compared to 108 percent at this time last year. 

In the Arkansas basin, August precipitation came in at 143 percent of median, as compared to 106 percent of median at this time last year. Water Year to date precipitation is 109 percent of median, as compared to 90 percent of median at this time last year. In the Upper Rio Grande basin, August precipitation came in at 188 percent of median, as compared to 91 percent of median at this time last year. Water Year to date precipitation is 106 percent of median, as compared to 95 percent of median at this time last year. 

Agricultural and Water Storage Impacts
CPC data indicates soil moisture at or above seasonal norms across south central Colorado with slight deficits noted across portions of SE Colorado.

NRCS data indicated statewide Colorado Reservoir Storage was at 93 percent of median at the end of August, as  compared to 102 percent of median at this time last year.  
In the Arkansas basin, reservoir storage was at 113 percent of median at the end of August, as compared to 112 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 August, as compared to 132 percent of median at this time last year.  

Long-Range Monthly Outlook
The CPC Temperature and Precipitation Outlook for the month of September leans to above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation across south central and southeast Colorado, save for equal chances of above, below and near normal precipitation across the far SE Plains.  

Long-Range Three Month Outlook 
The CPC outlook for September through November again leans to 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  southeast Colorado through the Fall of 2024 (September-November).