National Weather Service Reports A Slight Drop in Drought

An updated Drought Information Statement from the National Weather Service in Pueblo has indicated some improvement in drought conditions as beneficial rain continues to fall across south central and southeast Colorado, as of August 25, 2011. 

The current U.S. Drought Monitor has trimmed Exceptional Drought Conditions (D4) to include southeastern Alamosa County as well as southern Baca County.  Extreme Drought Conditions (D3) are now found across southern Crowley County, northwestern Otero County, much of Baca County and extreme western Las Animas County.  Severe Drought Conditions (D2) are indicated across the rest of Crowley and Otero Counties, the rest of Las Animas and western Prowers County, most of Bent County and western portions of Kiowa County.  Moderate Drought Conditions (D1) are reflected across central Kiowa County, northeastern Bent County and the rest of Prowers County.  Abnormally Dry Conditions (D0) are now indicated across eastern Kiowa County. 

The latest USDA Colorado Crop Report rates 51% of top soil moisture across the state as short or very short compared to only 29% at the same time last year.  48% of the subsoil moisture across the state is also rated at short or very short, compared to only 29% at this time last year.  CPC soil moisture calculations indicate some improvement across the region, though continue to indicate deficiencies of 20 to 90 millimeters (1/2 inch to 3.5 inches), with the worst conditions depicted across extreme southeastern Colorado.  The Colorado Crop Report also states that pasture and range feed conditions were quite variable across the state rated at very poor to good conditions, with the poorest conditions remaining across southern regions of the state.  Producers in the southeastern region have continued to reduce their herd dnumbe3rs due to the poor range conditions and limited feed supplies. 

The following precipitation totals between August 25, 2010 and August 25, 2011 compared Totals to Departure from Normal in inches:  

                                                Total                      Departure from Normal

Eads                                         9.12                                         -6.31
Haswell                                    8.35                                         -6.37
Lamar                                     10.99                                        -4.83
Campo 7S                               6.25                                       -10.96
Walsh 1W                              10.98                                         -6.97
Las Animas                             8.46                                         -4.53
La Junta 20S                           8.15                                        -6.71
Kim 15 NNE                           12.58                                       -3.26
Walsenburg                             9.24                                        -8.20
Trinidad                                    9.40                                        -6.71