- New drought expansions hit parts of Colorado and New Mexico.
- Utah and Arizona see persistent dry pockets despite regional rainfall.
- Moderate to extreme drought persists in western Wyoming and southern Nevada.
- Western storm systems failed to reach large portions of the Basin.
Saturday, May 24, 2025 — The U.S. Drought Monitor released May 22, 2025
, showed that while much of the country experienced significant rainfall, several states that rely on the Colorado River saw limited relief. Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, all part of the Colorado River Basin, continue to face persistent or worsening drought conditions in key regions.
Widespread storms brought quite a bit of precipitation to parts of the South, Midwest, and East Coast, with totals reaching up to 10 inches in isolated areas. However, the western United States received far less of this beneficial moisture. Parts of the Southwest and High Plains did see improvement, but many drought-prone areas in the Basin remain stubbornly dry.
Arizona and New Mexico: Dry Pockets Defy Regional Gains.
While eastern New Mexico received some beneficial rainfall, the state saw worsening drought in its southwestern counties. Exceptional drought (D4) expanded in that region, which has been plagued by missed precipitation events and deteriorating vegetative health. Similarly, despite cooler-than-average temperatures in parts of Arizona, the report did not cite widespread improvements in drought classifications across the state.
California and Nevada: Holding Steady, but Vulnerable.
No major changes were reported in California or Nevada, though both remain in a precarious position. Southern Nevada saw above-normal temperatures during the past week, and limited rainfall means the area continues to rely on stored water and snowmelt from earlier in the season. Northern California experienced near-normal to slightly above-normal temperatures, but precipitation was light and scattered.
Colorado and Utah: Dry Conditions Expand.
In Colorado, dry conditions led to an expansion of both moderate drought (D1) and abnormal dryness, particularly in the eastern part of the state. Severe drought (D2) also expanded across southern and western Colorado. According to the report, “abnormal dryness was also expanded in eastern Colorado this week.”
Utah saw modest improvements in some western areas, but worsening conditions in the east. Temperatures varied, with the western half of the state experiencing cooler-than-normal weather, while the east remained warm and dry.
Wyoming: Mixed Signals as Drought Persists.
Northern Wyoming received welcome rainfall that improved some categories of moderate to severe drought. However, conditions deteriorated in the southern and western parts of the state, where severe and extreme drought (D2-D3) expanded. Dry conditions resulted in the expansion of extreme drought in southwest Nebraska and western Wyoming.
Looking Ahead: A Brief Reprieve or a Persistent Pattern?
The forecast through May 29, 2025, indicates that the Desert Southwest, including Arizona and Utah, could see above-normal temperatures, with highs pushing into the triple digits. While isolated areas may receive modest rainfall due to passing systems, widespread drought relief is unlikely in the coming week.
Longer-term predictions from the Climate Prediction Center favor continued warm and dry conditions across much of the West, raising concerns for water managers, farmers, and municipalities heading into the summer season. Drought conditions in the Colorado River Basin remain a central concern in the broader western water crisis.
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