- Monsoon storms brought modest drought relief to parts of Arizona.
- California’s major reservoirs remain well above average for late July.
- Lake Mead and Lake Powell levels remain historically low.
- Drought persists in parts of western Wyoming and southeastern Idaho.
Saturday, July 26, 2025 –– The United States saw both improvement and deterioration in drought conditions during the week ending July 24, 2025, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report
. Thanks to recent rainfall, areas of the Midwest, South, Plains, and portions of the Intermountain West experienced notable drought relief. Storms brought 3 to 10 inches of rain to parts of Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, helping to improve soil moisture and vegetation health. In contrast, short-term dryness continued to expand across the Southeast, with new pockets of abnormally dry conditions emerging in Georgia, Alabama, and the Carolinas.
While some western states benefited from scattered monsoon thunderstorms, large portions of the West remained dry. However, reservoir levels in California remained strong. As of July 22, the state’s two largest reservoirs, Lake Shasta and Lake Oroville, stood at 105% and 117% of average, respectively.
Arizona: A Glimmer of Hope from Monsoon Rains.
Scattered monsoon storms brought between 2 and 3 inches of rainfall to east-central and southeastern Arizona, with lesser accumulations reaching central and northern parts of the state. These isolated storms led to some targeted improvements in drought conditions, particularly in areas that had been parched earlier this summer.
Despite the temporary relief, Arizona continues to face challenges in its water future. Reservoir levels remain low across the broader Colorado River system, and ongoing heat and dryness could quickly erase short-term gains.
California: Reservoirs Holding Strong.
Despite a generally dry week across much of the Golden State, California’s water storage remains in good shape for late July. The state’s two major reservoirs are currently holding water levels above historical averages. According to the July 22 report, Lake Shasta was at 105% of average, and Lake Oroville stood at 117%. These strong figures are attributed to an unusually wet winter and spring, though long-term challenges such as groundwater depletion and rising demand remain pressing concerns.
Colorado and Utah: Stability with Localized Dry Spots.
Conditions in Colorado and Utah were relatively stable during the past week. While much of the region did not receive significant rainfall, no major drought deterioration was observed. Localized monsoon activity provided some moisture, particularly in higher elevations. However, southeastern Idaho and parts of western Wyoming did experience worsening drought conditions due to persistent dryness over the last 30 to 60 days.
Nevada and New Mexico: Dry, But Not Dire.
Much like their neighbors, Nevada and New Mexico saw a dry week overall, with limited rainfall confined mostly to isolated monsoon activity. Some areas of improvement were observed where short-term rainfall helped ease conditions, especially in New Mexico. However, these changes were relatively minor and do not yet signal a larger shift toward drought recovery.
Wyoming: Trouble Brewing in the West.
Western Wyoming saw an expansion of drought conditions during the past week, particularly in areas bordering Idaho and Montana. Continued dryness and warmer-than-average temperatures have contributed to worsening soil moisture and vegetation stress. Meanwhile, eastern portions of the state received isolated showers but not enough to offset growing deficits.
Colorado River System: Still Under Stress.
The July 21 report from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation paints a sobering picture of the Colorado River system. Lake Powell and Lake Mead, the two largest reservoirs serving the basin, each remain at just 31% of capacity. While Lake Mead’s storage is 52% of average for the date, Lake Powell is even further below, at only 47%. The total Colorado River system is currently operating at 39% capacity—down from 45% at the same time last year.
This continued stress on the system underscores the importance of ongoing conservation efforts and basin-wide water negotiations among the seven Colorado River Basin states.
Looking Ahead: Dry Outlook for the West.
According to the National Weather Service’s 7-day forecast, much of the West is expected to remain dry through the end of July. The Climate Prediction Center’s longer-range forecast calls for a moderate-to-high chance of above-normal temperatures across most of the country, including the drought-prone areas of the Southwest. Some improvement in rainfall may occur in parts of the Pacific Northwest and northern Intermountain West.
While recent rains have provided temporary relief in some areas, sustained improvement across the West will require consistent rainfall and careful water management in the months ahead.
