Heat wave deepens drought in Colorado River Basin states

• Unseasonable heat worsens drought in the Southwest.
• Drought conditions intensify in Arizona, California, and Wyoming.
• National Drought Summary released on October 10, 2024.

October 11, 2024 — The National Drought Summary released yesterday and valid as of October 8, 2024, highlights escalating drought conditions in the Colorado River Basin states—Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. Unseasonably high temperatures have intensified dryness across the region, leading to widespread concerns.

Record Heat Amplifies Dryness.

Over the past week, much of the West, especially areas south and east of the Cascades, experienced significantly warmer than normal temperatures. Many locations reported “record or near-record heat for this time of year.” In Arizona, California, and western New Mexico, high temperatures averaged over 10 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. California and the adjacent Southwest endured almost summer-like heat, 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit above normal.

Drought Conditions Intensify.

The excessive heat has accelerated the intensification of drought conditions. “Drought tends to move slowly this time of year in the West Region,” the report notes, but the current heatwave has caused drought to worsen more quickly than usual. The Drought Monitor classification increased in many areas, with a large expansion of severe drought (D2) in the Southwest.

In Wyoming, a small patch of exceptional drought (D4) was introduced in east-central regions. Extreme drought (D3) expanded across a large part of eastern Wyoming. Since early June, precipitation has totaled less than half of normal in most of east-central and northeastern Wyoming.

Impact of National Weather Patterns.

While Hurricane Helene brought intense rains to parts of the country, the Southwest did not benefit from this moisture. The hurricane’s rainfall “abetted recovery in places devastated by the intense rains and flooding,” but also “caused dryness and drought to persist or intensify” in other regions. The majority of the contiguous United States saw little to no precipitation over the past week.

What’s Predicted.

As the Southwest faces ongoing high temperatures and minimal rainfall, drought conditions are expected to persist. The report underscores the importance of monitoring weather patterns and preparing for continued dryness in the Colorado River Basin states.

Image and Data Source:

US Drought Monitor

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