Drought severity increases again in Colorado per weekly update
Another week has passed, and once again, drought severity in Colorado has inched upward.
According to the US Drought Monitor, 12.17 percent of the state is experiencing stage four drought – the same as last week. That said, the portion of the state experiencing stage three drought (of the four tiers) has risen from 33.53 percent to 37.17 percent. Meanwhile, a slight uptick in stage two drought occurred, as well, bringing the state’s Drought Severity and Coverage Index score up from 325 to 330 (out of 500).
Notably, the portion of the state that moved from stage two to stage three drought is mostly along the Front Range, with the entire counties of Denver, Broomfield, and Jefferson now at stage three drought. The increased level of drought in these areas is concerning as drought comes with fire risk and the vast majority of fires are caused by humans or human-created infrastructure, thus more human presence in areas of higher populations amid more severe drought likely means a higher risk of fire.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is calling for warmer-than-normal temperatures to persist in Colorado through at least August 6, though slightly wetter-than-normal conditions may exist during this period, as well.
Find additional information on drought in Colorado here.
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