Warm, dry weather in October has left nearly one-quarter of Colorado under moderate drought.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report also says most of the state, including the Four Corners area and most of the mountains, is considered abnormally dry. Meanwhile, the Salt Lake Tribune reports that Utah’s temperatures were more than 5 degrees above normal in October and the state’s reservoirs are at 46 percent of capacity. The weather has delayed the opening of many ski areas. Despite recent rain, the picture isn’t expected to improve significantly soon. The Climate Prediction Center says much of the Intermountain West and the Rockies can expect continuing or intensifying drought through November, and a mild La Niña winter is anticipated.