• Severe drought conditions have expanded in southern California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona.
• Exceptional drought has emerged along the Nevada-Arizona border.
• Moderate drought has spread in central and northern Utah and western Colorado.

February 10, 2025 — As of February 6, 2025, the U.S. Drought Monitor reports a significant intensification of drought across the southwestern United States. Severe and extreme drought conditions have expanded in southern California, extending into southern Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. Notably, exceptional drought has been introduced along the Nevada-Arizona border, indicating areas experiencing the most severe drought classification.

The U.S. Drought Monitor classifies drought intensity on a scale from D0 (abnormally dry) to D4 (exceptional drought). The expansion of severe (D2), extreme (D3), and exceptional (D4) drought categories in these areas underscores the escalating challenges faced by the southwestern states.

These worsening conditions are characterized by dry soils and an increased risk of wildfires, posing significant concerns for water resources, agriculture, and communities throughout the region. Monitoring and adaptive management strategies will be crucial as the situation develops.

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