Drought Information Statement for South Central and Southeast Colorado Valid November 14th, 2024 Issued By: NWS Pueblo, Colorado Contact Information: nws.pueblo@noaa.gov This product will be updated by December 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. Abundant November moisture eases drought conditions across southern Colorado. U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): N/A D3 Extreme Drought: N/A D2 Severe Drought: NA D1 Moderate Drought: NA D0: Abnormally Dry: Portions of Chaffee, Fremont, Teller, El Paso, Crowley, Otero, Bent, Kiowa, Prowers, and Baca counties. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: NA No Change: NA Drought Improved: 1 to 2 category improvements across southern Colorado. Month to Date Temperature and Precipitation Departures November thus far, has seen well below normal temperatures and well above normal precipitation, with widespread 2 to 4 inches of precipitation recorded across south central and southeast Colorado in the 5 day period ending November 9th, 2024. October Precipitation and Temperature Summary October temperatures were well above normal across the region with Alamosa, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo all experiencing their 4th warmest October on record. A slow moving weather system through the middle of October brought abundant moisture to portions of southern Colorado. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Stream flows at to well above normal across south central and southeast Colorado. Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture is at to well above seasonal levels across south central and southeast Colorado. Fire Hazard Impacts Abundant moisture and snowpack has curtailed fire danger. Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Latest 7 day average stream flows are above to well above normal across south central and southeast Colorado, with widespread 2-4 inches of precipitation received in Nov 5th- Nov 9th timeframe. NRCS data indicates statewide mountain precipitation for the month of October was at 100 percent of median, as compared to 83 percent of median at this time last year. This also brings statewide Water Year 2025 to date precipitation up to 100 percent of median. In the Arkansas basin, October precipitation came in at 116 percent of median, as compared to 86 percent of median at this time last year. This also brings Arkansas basin Water Year 2025 to date precipitation up to 100 percent of median. In the Upper Rio Grande basin, October precipitation came in at 160 percent of median, as compared to 67 percent of median at this time last year. This also brings Upper Rio Grande basin Water Year 2025 to date precipitation up to 160 percent of median. Hydrologic Conditions Colorado Snowpack Although it’s very early in the season, Colorado Statewide Snowpack was at 146 percent of median, as of November 13th, 2024. Although it’s very early in the season, Arkansas basin snowpack was at 246 percent of median, as of November 13th, 2024. Although it’s very early in the season, Upper Rio Grande basin snowpack was at 237 percent of median as of November 13th, 2024. Agricultural and Water Storage Impacts Latest CPC data indicates soil moisture is running at to well above seasonal norms across south central and southeast Colorado. NRCS data indicated statewide Colorado Reservoir Storage was at 92 percent of median at the end of October, as compared to 100 percent of median at this time last year. In the Arkansas basin, reservoir storage was at 115 percent of median at the end of October, as compared to 115 percent of median at this time last year. In the Rio Grande basin, reservoir storage was at 128 percent of median at the end of October, as compared to 135 percent of median at this time last year. 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 possibly expand across south central and southeast Colorado through the rest the Fall and into the early Winter.