Drought Information Statement for South Central and Southeast Colorado Valid December 12th, 2024 Issued By: NWS Pueblo, Colorado Contact Information: nws.pueblo@noaa.gov This product will be updated by January 16th, 2025 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 Fall moisture erases 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: Extreme western portions of Teller county. 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 December thus far, has seen at and above normal temperatures and generally below normal precipitation, save for above normal precipitation across portions of the southeast mountains and immediate adjacent plains. Fall of 2024 Precipitation and Temperature Summary After a warm September and very warm October, below normal temperatures were experienced across the region in November. Above normal fall precipitation was bolstered by a slow moving weather system across the Rockies in the middle of October, as well as another slow moving weather system in the beginning of November. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Stream flows at to 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 at to well above normal across south central and southeast Colorado. NRCS data indicates statewide mountain precipitation for the month of November was at 143 percent of median, as compared to 61 percent of median at this time last year. This brings statewide Water Year 2025 to date precipitation to 118 percent of median, as compared to 70 percent of median at this time last year. In the Arkansas basin, November precipitation came in at 236 percent of median, as compared to 73 percent of median at this time last year. This brings Arkansas basin Water Year 2025 to date precipitation to 158 percent of median, as compared to 73 percent of median at this time last year, In the Upper Rio Grande basin, November precipitation came in at 144 percent of median, as compared to 71 percent of median at this time last year. This brings Upper Rio Grande basin Water Year 2025 to date precipitation to 144 percent of median, as compared to 60 percent of median at this time last year. Hydrologic Conditions Colorado Snowpack Although it’s very early in the season, Colorado Statewide Snowpack was at 105 percent of median, as of December 11th, 2024. The above median snowpack is being bolstered by the southern basins. The Arkansas basin snowpack was at 144 percent of median, as of December 11th, 2024. The Upper Rio Grande basin snowpack was at 123 percent of median as of December 11th, 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 November, as compared to 100 percent of median at this time last year. In the Arkansas basin, reservoir storage was at 118 percent of median at the end of November, as compared to 114 percent of median at this time last year. In the Rio Grande basin, reservoir storage was at 125 percent of median at the end of November, as compared to 125 percent of median at this time last year. Long-Range Three Month Outlook (Dec-Feb) The CPC outlook for Winter 2024-2025 (Dec-Feb) gives equal chances of above, below and near normal temperatures and precipitation across south central and southeast Colorado, save for a slight lean towards above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation across the southern tier. . Drought Three Month Outlook Drought conditions are not predicted to develop or expand across south central and southeast Colorado through the early Winter.