- Hurricane Erin brushed the East Coast with little rain.
- Central and southern Plains saw heavy showers.
- Western states stayed mostly hot and dry.
- Severe drought lingers in Colorado and Wyoming.
Saturday, August 30, 2025 — The U.S. Drought Monitor report released on August 28, 2025
, showed a patchwork of conditions across the country. Hurricane Erin passed about 200 miles east of North Carolina’s Outer Banks on August 21, bringing “an extended period of Atlantic coastal impacts, such as life-threatening surf and higher-than-normal tides.” Elsewhere, patchy downpours in the Midwest and Plains helped improve soil moisture in some regions, but large parts of the central and eastern United States remained dry.
In the Northeast, drought expanded in northern New England and northern New York, where moderate to severe drought (D1 to D2) worsened. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that on August 24, topsoil moisture in agricultural areas was “at least 55% very short to short in all six New England States, as well as New York.”
Meanwhile, much of the West endured hot and dry conditions until late in the week, when showers spread across portions of the Rockies. These rains brought limited relief, with only targeted improvements in central Colorado.
Spotlight on the Colorado River Basin States.
Arizona.
Arizona’s weather was dominated by extremes. Phoenix experienced a dramatic event on August 25 when “a thunderstorm-fueled haboob” swept through, producing winds as high as 70 miles per hour at Sky Harbor International Airport and causing “near-zero visibility in blowing dust” along with travel disruptions. Despite late showers, most of Arizona remained hot and dry, with drought conditions continuing across much of the state.
California.
California’s drought picture showed little change during this period. The state generally remained hot and dry until late in the week. While some parts of the West saw scattered rainfall, the showers were “insufficient to result in significant drought relief” for most of California. Agricultural impacts remained a concern, particularly in rangeland and pasture conditions in northern areas.
Colorado.
Colorado was one of the few bright spots in the region. Central portions of the state received enough rainfall to bring modest drought relief. The report noted that “the most significant drought improvement occurred in central Colorado.” However, western Colorado continued to face entrenched drought conditions.
Nevada.
Nevada saw little change in its overall drought status. Most of the state remained hot and dry, with rainfall late in the period not sufficient to ease widespread dryness. The lack of significant relief left much of Nevada locked in long-term drought.
New Mexico
New Mexico experienced scattered showers in recent weeks, but they were not enough to ease longer-term dryness. While parts of the central and southern Plains received heavy rainfall, much of New Mexico remained dry. Conditions there showed limited improvement during the monitoring period.
Utah.
Like Nevada, Utah remained mostly hot and dry until late in the week. Showers spread northward and eastward near the end of the monitoring period, but they were not enough to bring substantial relief. Western and southern Utah continue to face drought stress heading into the fall season.
Wyoming.
Wyoming remained one of the hardest-hit states in the Colorado River Basin. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, on August 24 the state’s topsoil moisture was rated “70% very short to short.” Severe drought persisted across much of western Wyoming, where conditions have been among the most challenging in the region.
What to Expect.
The Drought Monitor outlook called for a “generally cool weather pattern” across much of the country for the remainder of August. However, the West is expected to heat up again, with temperatures in the Desert Southwest climbing above 110 degrees by the end of the month. The forecast also warned of possible flash flooding and debris flows in the central and southern Rockies due to late-month downpours.
