- Arizona, Nevada, and southern Utah see broad improvements.
- Western Colorado and Wyoming continue to face worsening drought.
- Rare early June rainfall helped ease dryness in parts of California.
- Montana and northern Utah see drought expansion due to persistent dryness.
Saturday, June 14, 2025 –– The U.S. Drought Monitor
released Thursday, June 12, 2025, reveals a mixed picture across the nation, with significant improvement in many central and eastern states, while the western U.S., especially in parts of the Colorado River Basin, remains dry or sees worsening conditions. An unusually wet spring and rare early June rainfall brought welcome relief to areas of the Southwest, but other parts of the West, including northern Utah, western Colorado, and western Wyoming, continue to suffer from persistent drought and snowpack deficits.
Arizona, Nevada, and Southern Utah Improve.
Rainfall 4 to 8 times above normal fell across much of Arizona, southern Utah, and southern Nevada, leading to broad one-category improvements in drought status. Western and central Arizona benefited the most, receiving between one and two inches of rain, an uncommon event for early June. This precipitation helped ease drought severity and provided short-term moisture relief for both agriculture and ecosystems.
California’s Desert Southwest Sees Gains.
In California, parts of the state’s southern and southwestern regions also received beneficial rainfall. While totals were lighter than in neighboring Arizona and Nevada, even modest precipitation led to reductions in drought severity. These improvements were especially notable in areas previously affected by long-standing dryness.
Colorado Shows Mixed Results.
Colorado experienced a regional divide in drought conditions. Central and eastern Colorado received beneficial rainfall, leading to some localized improvements. However, the northwestern and southwestern parts of the state remained largely dry. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, “drought worsened in…northwestern Colorado,” primarily due to below-average precipitation and continued snowpack concerns. Long-term water deficits continue to pose a significant challenge.
Wyoming Split by Moisture Gradient.
Wyoming mirrored Colorado’s east–west divide. Central and eastern areas received rainfall, providing localized relief. However, western Wyoming experienced further degradation due to “ongoing dryness and low snowpack.” This persistent lack of moisture may impact water availability throughout the summer, particularly in sectors such as agriculture and recreation that rely on snowmelt runoff.
New Mexico Sees Limited Improvement.
New Mexico saw limited but notable improvements in the southeastern part of the state. Rainfall that impacted Texas also extended into this region, slightly easing drought conditions. However, most of New Mexico remained dry, and broader drought conditions persisted.
Northern Utah and Montana Worsen.
Northern Utah, which largely missed recent storm systems, continued its slide into deeper drought. Conditions deteriorated due to “ongoing dryness and low snowpack.” Similarly, in Montana, not one of the Colorado River Basin states, drought expansion was described as one of the worst in the region. Low snowmelt and very dry weather have raised concerns ahead of the hottest part of the year.
A Hot, Dry Week Ahead.
Forecasts for the next week predict little to no precipitation across most of the western United States. Areas including eastern Colorado and New Mexico are unlikely to receive measurable rain. Temperatures are expected to be above average across much of the southwestern United States, including Utah, Colorado, and southern Wyoming. These trends suggest that recent improvements in drought conditions in some areas may be short-lived without additional moisture.
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