U.S. Drought Monitor

 (data through 4/17/12)
Data Source(s): U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Drought Mitigation Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Drought expanded and intensified in parts of Colorado, Utah, and northern New Mexico during the past 30 days. Most of Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada are experiencing moderate drought or a more severe drought category, and Arizona and New Mexico are home to the only extreme or exceptional drought conditions in the West. The only drought-free areas in the western U.S. are located across the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies, where above-average precipitation has fallen in recent months as a result of the position of the westerly storm track. Wetter-than-average weather in these regions historically occurs during La Niña events. Most of the Southwest and central and southern Rockies have been dry this winter, particularly since January 1, which is also the norm in La Niña winters.

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