Drought Information Statement for Mojave Desert and Eastern Sierra Valid January 21, 2025 Issued By: WFO Las Vegas, NV Contact Information: nws.lasvegas@noaa.gov This product will be updated February 20, 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/VEF/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/ for regional drought status updates. A substantial lack of precipitation was noted through the end of December and beginning of January with no widespread rain or snow events across the area. Las Vegas has gone 191 days without rain. Warm temperatures and low precipitation resulted in limited snowpack on area mountains. Drought conditions have worsened across southeastern California. U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for the Southwestern United States Drought intensity and Extent D3 (Extreme Drought): Colorado River Valley, Clark County, southwest Lincoln County, and southern Nye County. D2 (Severe Drought): Southern Nye County, central Lincoln County, eastern Esmeralda County, central Mohave County, San Bernardino County, southeastern Inyo County. D1 (Moderate Drought): Western Esmeralda County, northern Lincoln County, northeastern Mohave County, far northwestern San Bernardino County, northern and eastern Inyo County. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Southwest Inyo County, far northwestern San Bernardino County, and far northern Lincoln County. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Most of San Bernardino County, southeastern Inyo County. No Change: Remaining areas of southern Nevada and southeastern California, all of northwestern Arizona. Drought Improved: No improvement was observed. Precipitation Most of the Mojave Desert and southern Great Basin received little to no precipitation over the last 30 days, far below normal for this time of year. Most mountains in the region besides the Sierra Nevada are lacking snowpack due to light precipitation and warm temperatures, including the Spring Mountains. Temperature Maximum temperatures over the last 7 days have been above normal for most of the Mojave Desert, and below normal for eastern Mohave County and southern Great Basin. Maximum temperatures over the last 30 days have been above normal for most of southern Nevada, southeastern California, and northwestern Arizona. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Lake Mead is at 1,065.79 feet in elevation, or 34 percent full. Agricultural Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Fire Hazard Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Other Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality or water provider for mitigation information. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Lake Mead is at 1,065.79 feet in elevation, or 34% full. Lake Mohave is at 639.59 feet in elevation, or 89% full. Lake Havasu is at 445.89 feet in elevation, or 87% full. The Bureau of Reclamation 24-month study suggests a rise in Lake Mead and Mohave through March, and a slight rise in Lake Havasu before staying steady in the spring. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast A low pressure system may usher in light but widespread precipitation on through the weekend and early next week, including several inches of high elevation snow. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage. There is a 33 to 40% probability of above normal temperatures for northwestern Arizona through April 30. Other areas have equal chances of above or below normal temperatures. In Mohave, Clark, Lincoln, and San Bernardino Counties, there is a 33 to 50% chance of below normal precipitation through April 30. The remainder of the forecast area has equal chances of above or below normal precipitation. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage. Drought is expected to persist through April 30 for most of southern Nevada, northwestern Arizona, and southeastern California.