Drought Information Statement for South Central and Southeast Colorado 
Valid October 18th, 2024
Issued By: NWS Pueblo, Colorado
Contact Information:  nws.pueblo@noaa.gov
This product will be updated by November 14th, 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 increasing across southeast Colorado.

Drought intensity and Extent
D4 (Exceptional Drought): N/A 
D3 Extreme Drought:  N/A.  
D2 Severe Drought:  Northern portions of Teller county into northwestern El Paso county, central portions of Kiowa county into northern portions of Bent county, central Prowers county and northeastern Baca county.     
D1 Moderate Drought:  Teller and El Paso counties, northeastern  portions of Fremont county into NW, SW and SE Pueblo county, portions of the southeast plains including Las Animas, Crowley, Otero, Kiowa, Bent, Prowers and Baca counties.  
D0: Abnormally Dry:  Portions of El Paso, Pueblo, Fremont, Custer, Las Animas, Crowley, Otero, Bent,  Kiowa, Prowers, Baca and Chaffee counties.    

Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
Drought Worsened:  Portions of the  Pikes Peak region and SE plains. 
No Change: Most of south central Colorado.
Drought Improved: Portions of Chaffee, Huerfano, Las Animas and Baca counties.    

Temperature and Precipitation

The month of October thus far has featured well above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation across all of south central and southeast Colorado. 

Hydrologic Impacts 
Stream flows near to well below normal across south central and southeast Colorado. 

Agricultural Impacts
Soil moisture deficits increasing across the southeast Plains. 

Fire Hazard Impacts
Warmer and drier than normal conditions leading to drying fuels and increased fire danger.

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 and below normal across most of south central and southeast Colorado.  

NRCS data indicates statewide mountain precipitation for the month of September was at 77 percent of median, as compared to 78 percent of median at this time last year. This brings an end to the 2024 Water Year, with statewide   precipitation at 101 percent of median, as compared to 105 percent of median in Water Year 2023. 

In the Arkansas basin, September precipitation came in at 123 percent of median, as compared to 114 percent of median at this time last year. This brings an end to the 2024 Water Year, with Arkansas basin precipitation at 111 percent of median, as compared to 92 percent of median in WY 2023.

In the Upper Rio Grande basin, September precipitation came in at 116 percent of median, as compared to 99 percent of median at this time last year.  This brings an end to the 2024 Water Year, with the Rio Grande basin precipitation at 105 percent of median, as compared to 94 percent of median in WY 2023.

Agricultural and Water Storage Impacts

CPC data indicates soil moisture at or above seasonal norms across south central Colorado with increasing deficits noted across SE Colorado.
Image Caption: CPC Daily Soil Moisture Ranking valid October 16th, 2024

NRCS data indicated statewide Colorado Reservoir Storage was at 93 percent of median at the end of September, as compared to 101 percent of median at this time last year.  
In the Arkansas basin, reservoir storage was at 112 percent of median at the end of September, as compared to 112 percent of median at this time last year.  
In the Rio Grande basin, reservoir storage was at 119 percent of median at the end of September, as compared to 134 percent of median at this time last year.  

Long-Range Monthly Outlook for November

The CPC Temperature and Precipitation Outlook for the month of November leans to above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation across south central and southeast Colorado.  

Long-Range Three Month Outlook (Nov-Jan)  

The CPC outlook for November of 2024 through January of 2025 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 south central and southeast Colorado through the rest the Fall and into the early Winter.