- Severe drought persists across Arizona, Nevada, and southern California.
- Southern Four Corners region has received only 2-25% of normal rainfall.
- New Mexico sees rapid drought expansion, worsening conditions statewide.
Saturday, March 15, 2025 — Drought conditions continue to plague much of the Colorado River Basin, with severe to exceptional drought (D3-D4) entrenched in southern California, southern Nevada, and much of Arizona. According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report released on March 13, 2025
, the situation has worsened in New Mexico, where large parts of the state have been downgraded by one drought category.
Deepening Dryness in Key Areas.
A broad swath from central Utah and Nevada southward to the Mexican border, including the southern Four Corners region, has experienced well below-average precipitation since mid-December. “Less than half of normal precipitation has fallen since mid-December,” the report states, with the lowest totals ranging between just 2% and 25% of normal across the southern Four Corners area.
In New Mexico, the drought is intensifying at a rapid pace. The report highlights a significant expansion of extreme drought (D3) across the southern part of the state, with a small area of exceptional drought (D4) emerging in the southwest.
Current Drought Levels.
The latest drought data shows that 66.47% of the Western U.S. is currently experiencing some level of drought (D0-D4). Severe drought (D2 and above) covers 29.43% of the region, while extreme to exceptional drought (D3-D4) affects 13.07%, with 1.03% classified in the worst category (D4). This marks an increase from earlier in the year when extreme drought was far less widespread.
Concerns Mounting.
With winter precipitation failing to deliver significant relief and the dry season approaching, concerns are mounting over water supplies for the Colorado River and its reservoirs. As of this writing, the West is experiencing winter storms, so time will tell how the drought conditions are affected.
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