- Exceptional drought expands in southern New Mexico and Texas.
- Colorado faces worsening drought due to snowpack losses.
- Extreme drought persists in southeast Arizona.
- Slight improvement noted near Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains.
- Fire risk and low reservoir levels raise regional concern.
Saturday, April 19, 2025 –– Drought conditions intensified this week across the Colorado River Basin, with large portions of Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico now classified under severe (D2), extreme (D3), or exceptional drought (D4). According to the U.S. Drought Monitor’s April 17 release
, only 35.25% of the western U.S. remains free from drought, while the Drought Severity and Coverage Index (DSCI) remains high at 159, reflecting sustained aridity across the region.
Colorado: Widespread Degradation.
Colorado saw sharp declines in drought conditions this week, with “widespread degradation” reported due to low snowpack and precipitation deficits. Much of the state is now in moderate to severe drought (D1–D2), while parts of the central and southern Rockies have slipped into extreme drought (D3). Temperatures in the Colorado Front Range climbed 6–12 degrees above normal, worsening soil moisture loss.
Arizona: A Hotspot for Drought Severity.
Southeastern Arizona remains one of the most drought-stricken areas in the nation. “Extreme and exceptional drought (D3–D4) grew in coverage,” the Drought Monitor reported, fueled by severe precipitation deficits and soaring temperatures. Vegetation stress, groundwater depletion, and fire potential remain high across this region.
New Mexico: Drought Tightens Grip.
In northern and southwestern New Mexico, drought categories worsened as severe drought (D2) spread. The far southwest corner is now facing extreme to exceptional drought (D3–D4). Continued high evaporative demand and a lack of rain signal increasing stress across surface water and aquifers alike.
California and Nevada: Heat Rises, But No Relief.
While not as dramatically impacted as other states, central and eastern California recorded temperatures 6–12 degrees above average this week. Much of inland California and Nevada remains under abnormally dry to moderate drought (D0–D1), and conditions may worsen if forecasts of limited precipitation persist.
Wyoming: A Slight Reprieve.
One of the few bright spots in the region came from Wyoming, where moderate drought (D1) decreased slightly near the Bighorn Mountains. The improvement was attributed to better-than-expected soil moisture and recent precipitation. However, most of the state remains under abnormally dry (D0) or worse conditions.
Forecast: Heat and Spotty Relief Ahead.
Between April 16 and April 21, light precipitation is forecast for northern New Mexico through southern Montana, but amounts of 0.25 to 1 inch are unlikely to offer meaningful relief. From April 22–26, the forecast calls for warmer-than-normal conditions across most of the country and drier-than-normal weather in parts of California and Oregon.
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