Drought Information Statement for Mojave Desert and Eastern Sierra Valid February 6, 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. Drought conditions have worsened across the area, including the introduction of Exceptional Drought near Lake Mead. There have been no major widespread rain or snow events so far this winter. Las Vegas has gone 207 days without rain. Snowpack on area mountains outside the Sierra remains limited. U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): Parts of northwestern Mohave County and eastern Clark County near Lake Mead. D3 (Extreme Drought): Most of Clark and Mohave counties, southern Nye and Lincoln counties, and eastern Inyo and San Bernardino counties. D2 (Severe Drought): Esmeralda County, northern Lincoln County, central Inyo County, western San Bernardino County, and sections of eastern Mohave County. D1 (Moderate Drought): Western Inyo County, far northern Lincoln County. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Northern Mohave County, eastern Clark, Inyo, and San Bernardino counties, central and southern Lincoln County, and southern Nye County. No Change: Remaining areas of southern Nevada, southeastern California, and northwestern Arizona. Drought Improved: No improvement was observed. Precipitation A storm system brought light precipitation to San Bernardino and Mohave counties in late January, but failed to progress north into southern Nevada. Current snow depth in the Eastern Sierra is 24 to 36 inches above 9000 feet. Mountains outside of the Sierra have seen little to no snow accumulation. Temperature Maximum temperatures over the last 7 days have been below normal for most of the forecast area. Maximum temperatures over the last 30 days have been near to slightly below average for most of the area, and above average over the Sierra and White Mountains in California. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Lake Mead is at 1,066.85 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 1,066.85 feet in elevation, or 34% full. Lake Mohave is at 641.96 feet in elevation, or 92% full. Lake Havasu is at 447.04 feet in elevation, or 91% full. The Bureau of Reclamation 24-month study suggests a rise in Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, and Lake Havasu through early spring. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast An atmospheric river event is bringing snowfall to the Sierra Nevada with some spillover moisture into the Owens Valley through Friday, February 7. Widespread precipitation chances return in the middle of next week as low pressure ushers in another round of atmospheric river moisture. 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 may improve or end in northern Inyo County by April 30. Drought is expected to persist through April 30 for most of southern Nevada, northwestern Arizona, and southeastern California.