The U.S. Drought Monitor released their weekly update this morning, and it shows increasing drought conditions across Colorado.
Last week, a quarter of the state (25.49%) was under extreme drought. Now, the percentage has risen to 32.96%, which is roughly one-third of the state.
Conditions associated with extreme drought include:
- Pasture conditions worsen
- City landscapes are dying
- Large fires develop
- Rafting, fishing, hunting, skiing are reduced; fish kills occur
- Grasshopper and insect infestation are noted
- Reservoirs are extremely low; mandatory water restrictions are implemented; water temperature increases
Drought conditions started to develop in the early Spring due to a drier than normal March and April.
