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- Drought deepens in southern California and the Southwest.
- Southwestern Colorado sees worsening dryness.
- La Niña conditions may influence weather into spring.
January 10, 2025 — A new drought update issued yesterday by
shows much of the Colorado River Basin locked in an escalating struggle with dryness. Southern California and the desert Southwest are among the hardest-hit areas, while parts of southwestern Colorado also face deteriorating conditions. Meanwhile, La Niña has finally arrived in the tropical Pacific, and forecasters say it could shape winter and spring weather patterns across Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
Drought Intensifies in the Southwest.
According to
, “The NDMC short-term blend, 90-day SPI [Standard Precipitation Index], and many 28-day average streamflows below the 10th percentile supported the addition of severe drought (D2) to portions of southern California.” Experts warn that the Santa Ana winds will likely worsen these newly intensified drought conditions in the coming weeks. Neighboring areas in Arizona and New Mexico are also seeing drought creep further, fueled by sparse precipitation and above-normal temperatures…