Drought Information Statement for Mojave Desert and Eastern Sierra Valid December 16, 2024 Issued By: WFO Las Vegas, NV Contact Information: nws.lasvegas@noaa.gov This product will be updated January 16, 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 hot dry summer and late start to winter precipitation worsened drought conditions across southern Nevada, southeastern California, and northwestern Arizona. Extreme drought has expanded into Las Vegas and southern Nevada and may continue to expand if the dry winter pattern persists. U.S. Drought Monitor 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, far eastern San Bernardino County. D1 (Moderate Drought): Western Esmeralda County, northern Lincoln County, eastern Mohave County, eastern San Bernardino County, northern and eastern Inyo County. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Southwest Inyo County, western San Bernardino County, and far northern Lincoln County. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Most of Clark County, southwestern Lincoln County, southeastern Nye County, northern Esmeralda County, far southwestern Inyo County, and far western San Bernardino County. No Change: Remaining areas of southern Nevada and southeastern California, all of northwestern Arizona. Drought Improved: No improvement was observed. Precipitation Near to above normal precipitation fell in the Eastern Sierra, northern Owens Valley, White Mountains, Spring Mountains, and northern Lincoln County. Remaining areas of the Mojave Desert and southern Great Basin received little to no precipitation, far below normal for this time of year. Temperature Maximum temperatures over the last 7 days have been 4 to 10 degrees above normal for mid-December. Maximum temperatures over the last 30 days have been near to slightly above normal for most of southern Nevada, southeastern California, and northwestern Arizona. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Lake Mead is at 1,061.70 feet in elevation, or 33 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 Watering restrictions are in place by the Southern Nevada Water Authority. Nevada small businesses eligible for federal disaster loans amid drought. USDA designates several counties Contiguous Natural Disaster Area for Drought. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Lake Mead is at 1,061.70 feet in elevation, or 33% full. Lake Mohave is at 639.23 feet in elevation, or 88% full. Lake Havasu is at 447.52 feet in elevation, or 92% full. The Bureau of Reclamation 24-month study suggests a rise in Lake Mead and Mohave through March, and a slight decrease in Lake Havasu before rising again in the spring. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast A ridge of high pressure is expected to maintain warm and dry conditions across most of the forecast area through December 23. There is a possibility for light precipitation including snowfall above 8000 feet in the Eastern Sierra on Saturday, December 21. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage There is a 33 to 50% probability of above normal temperatures through February 28, 2025. In Mohave, Clark, southern Lincoln, and eastern San Bernardino Counties, there is a 33 to 50% chance of below normal precipitation through February 28, 2025. 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 February 28, 2025 for most of southern Nevada, northwestern Arizona, and southeastern California.