• Moderate drought improved in parts of Utah and Wyoming.
• Extreme drought expanded in northwest Wyoming.
• Near-term outlook shows warmer-than-normal temperatures.

December 23, 2022 — There’s been a mix of progress and setbacks in drought conditions across the Colorado River Basin, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor report released on December 19. Notably, parts of Utah and Wyoming experienced modest relief from moderate drought conditions. However, the situation has worsened in northwest Wyoming, where extreme drought conditions have expanded.

In the near term, warmer-than-average temperatures are expected across much of the region, posing ongoing challenges for water resources and drought recovery efforts.

Recent Conditions.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor’s December 19 report, the past week saw substantial precipitation in areas like the Southeast and northern coastal California. In contrast, the Plains, Southwest, and Rocky Mountains were largely dry during this same period—a stark reminder of the persisting drought challenges in these regions.

In much of the Colorado River Basin, the early snow season’s promising start has fizzled, leaving many areas below their typical levels for this time of year. The report highlights that, despite some scattered rainfall in parts of the West, there were minimal changes to the overall drought status. Specific areas saw notable shifts:

• Improvements: Northern Utah and southwest Wyoming experienced some easing of moderate drought conditions.
• Deteriorations: Extreme drought has expanded further into northwest Wyoming, while parts of northern Colorado saw a slight increase in areas classified as abnormally dry or under moderate drought.

What’s in Store.

The forecast for the coming days paints a varied picture. According to the December 19 update:

• Precipitation: The best opportunities for rainfall lie in the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, and the eastern U.S. The Southwest and Rockies are expected to remain mostly dry, offering little reprieve.
• Temperatures: Much of the western U.S. could see above-average temperatures, with some areas in the Southwest projected to be 10–13°F warmer than normal.

Longer-term projections don’t provide much optimism either. Over the next 6–10 days, nearly the entire country faces a high probability of above-average temperatures. Meanwhile, the Southwest is likely to experience below-normal precipitation, further straining an already precarious situation.

In summary, while there are isolated pockets of improvement, the broader outlook underscores the ongoing challenges posed by drought across the Colorado River Basin and beyond.

Image from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

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