Colorado faces expanding drought and flash flood risks

Colorado is experiencing contrasting weather patterns as exceptional drought moves into the San Luis Valley. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, exceptional drought now covers 15 percent of the state, up from 13 percent the previous week. While conditions have improved in the southeastern plains and some mountain areas, the southern mountains remain significantly below median precipitation levels.

Simultaneously, monsoonal moisture is bringing heavy rain and flash flood risks to the Western Slope. Meteorologists report a high probability of precipitation across the High Country, with some areas potentially seeing over an inch of rain. The Colorado Water Conservation Board has issued low flood threats for parts of the Western Slope, including Garfield and Moffat counties, particularly in areas vulnerable to flooding such as canyons and recent burn scars.

Regarding snowpack, early-season storms have provided minimal accumulation, with most SNOTEL sites reporting only a tenth of an inch. Water-year-to-date precipitation across the state averages 77 percent of the 1991-2020 median.