• Dry conditions persist. The Colorado River Basin remains parched, with worsening drought in key areas.
• Southern states hit hardest. Arizona, Nevada, and southern California see severe impacts.
• Snowpack concerns grow. Low snowfall threatens future water supplies.
• No quick relief in sight. Forecasts suggest limited precipitation ahead.

February 28, 2025 — Across the U.S., weather patterns swung wildly in late February. The U.S. Drought Monitor released its February 25 summary and maps yesterday, reporting that some areas of the country saw record-breaking cold, while others warmed dramatically. The West remained split—wetter in the north, bone-dry in the south. While the Pacific Northwest received ample rainfall, much of the Southwest saw little to no precipitation, deepening ongoing drought concerns.

The seven Colorado River Basin states—Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming—continue to battle persistent drought. Here’s how each state is faring:

• Arizona & Nevada: Water levels in Lake Mead remain critically low. Dry conditions expanded, with severe and extreme drought taking hold in southern regions.
• California: While northern California saw some improvement, southern California remains in trouble. The lack of winter storms has left reservoirs below normal levels.
• Colorado & Utah: Parts of Colorado saw minor drought relief, but the southern region deteriorated. Utah remains dry, with little snowfall replenishing the water supply.
• New Mexico: Drought worsened in western New Mexico, with moderate drought expanding eastward. The state remains highly vulnerable to continued dryness.
• Wyoming: Some slight improvements were noted in the southwest, but other areas remain locked in drought.

Unfortunately, the short-term forecast offers little relief. While some northern areas may see light precipitation, the Southwest is expected to stay dry. Experts warn that a weak snowpack season could mean trouble for the Colorado River and its reservoirs, which supply water to millions.

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Image:  Map published by the U.S. Drought Monitor.

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