Intermountain West Dashboard
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The Intermountain West Dashboard provides situational awareness of weather, drought, and water resources for Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming.
Click the question mark icon above each graphic to see the description of that graphic.
Weekly or monthly summaries of evolving weather, drought, and water conditions for the Intermountain West are also available from these providers:
- Colorado CC/NIDIS Intermountain West Drought Status Briefings
- NOAA CBRFC Water Supply Briefings for the Colorado River Basin and Great Basin - monthly, January through May
- NRCS Water Supply Outlook Reports for Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming - monthly, January through May/June
Temperature, Precipitation and Snowpack
Drought Conditions
Current Streamflow, Forecasted Streamflow
Soil Moisture
Reservoir Storage
Precipitation Forecast
Seasonal Climate Outlooks
Experimental Winter Precipitation Forecast
( This tool is out of date. A new version will be available soon. )
ENSO Conditions and Forecasts
Latest Briefing
February 6, 2026 - CO, UT, WY
Continued drought conditions plagued much of the region during January. After significant regional precipitation during the first week and a half of January, dry conditions dominated, and little precipitation fell during the remainder of the month. Consequently, regional snowpack and streamflow volume forecasts are extremely low. Record low statewide snowpack conditions exist in Colorado and Utah while Wyoming statewide SWE is 84% of average, driven by wetter conditions in western and northern Wyoming. While northern Wyoming streamflows are near to above average, much below average streamflow volumes are forecasted for the remainder of the region including Lake Powell which is forecasted to receive 38% of average inflow. With Lakes Mead and Powell storage hovering just above 25%, forecasts of low Colorado River flows, and continued Post-2026 Guidelines negotiations, 2026 is certain to be a challenging year for regional water managers.
January precipitation was much below normal for the majority of Colorado, Utah and Wyoming and over three-quarters of the region received less the 75% of average precipitation. Small areas of near average precipitation fell in all three states and eastern Colorado received 125-400% of average January precipitation.
Temperatures were above average across the entire region during January. January temperatures in all of Utah and Wyoming and large portions of Colorado exceeded three degrees above average. Northwestern Colorado, northeastern Utah and western Wyoming observed January temperatures that were six to twelve degrees above average.
February 1st snowpack conditions were poor across most of the region. Colorado and Utah snow water equivalent (SWE) was 55% of median at the start of February and at record low levels. Snowpack conditions in Wyoming are slightly better with 84% median SWE statewide. Western Wyoming river basins (Bighorn, Green, Snake, and Yellowstone) had near median SWE. Regional snowpack conditions generally deteriorate from north to south with the worst snowpack conditions in the Arkansas, Rio Grande, and San Juan River basins where less than 50% median SWE has accumulated. Real-time estimates of SWE based on satellite imagery suggest significantly poorer snowpack conditions compared to SNOTEL measurements of SWE. These spatial estimates of SWE often differ from SNOTEL SWE measurements because they capture SWE across the entire elevation range while SNOTEL measures SWE across a narrower elevation range. In Utah, February 1 river basin percent SWE varied from 12-54% of average; in Colorado, basin percent SWE ranged from 19-54%; and in Wyoming, basin SWE ranged from 4-110%.
Seasonal streamflow volume forecasts for river basins in Colorado, Utah and southeastern Wyoming are much below average. Near to above average seasonal streamflow volumes are forecasted for much of Wyoming. In the Upper Colorado River Basin, streamflow volume forecasts ranged from 30-92% of average and seasonal inflow volume to Lake Powell is forecasted at 38% of average (2.4 million acre-feet). The Upper Green River Basin and other northern Wyoming basins (Big Horn, Powder and Yellowstone) are forecasted to receive 92-122% of average streamflow volumes. On the Great Basin side of the Wasatch Mountains and Plateaus of Utah, streamflow volume forecasts ranged from 35% of average for the Weber Basin to 54% of average for the Six Creeks watershed in Salt Lake County. Similarly, low streamflow volume forecasts were issued for the Arkansas (63%), Noth Platte (58%) and South Platte (76%) River Basins.
Dry and warm conditions during January caused regional drought coverage to increase to 63% (54% of region on 12/30/25). Drought conditions especially deteriorated in Colorado, where moderate drought emerged in northeastern and southwestern Colorado and severe drought expanded in western Colorado. The area of extreme and exceptional drought in the Colorado River headwaters increased in area during January. Drought emerged in eastern Wyoming and severe drought expanded in the southern portion of the state.
As of mid-January, La Niña conditions persist in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Pacific Ocean conditions are expected to warm and there is a 69% probability of neutral conditions emerging in the next two months. Despite the forecast for warming Pacific Ocean temperatures, ocean temperatures decreased slightly in late January. NOAA monthly forecasts for February suggest an increased probability for below average precipitation across the entire region and above average temperatures for Colorado, Utah and southwestern Wyoming. On the three-month timescale, NOAA forecasts indicate an increased probability of below average precipitation in southern Colorado and southern Utah. February-April temperatures are likely to be above average in Utah and southwestern Colorado.
Significant weather event: Upper Colorado River Basin drought. The Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB) began the 2026 water year with severe or extreme drought conditions covering nearly the entire watershed. Drought conditions have eased slightly, largely due to a wet October, but basin SWE is currently at 60% of median which is a record low (since 1986). If an average amount of SWE accumulates in the UCRB from February 10 to early April, then the 2026 peak SWE would remain low at 77% of average. Poor snow conditions and relatively dry soils throughout much of the UCRB have resulted in very low (38% of average) Colorado River inflow forecasts to Lake Powell. With a current Lake Powell elevation of 3,535 feet and poor Colorado River streamflow volume forecasts, low reservoir elevations will threaten Glen Canyon Dam’s ability to generate electricity by the end of 2026. The US Bureau of Reclamation’s 24-Month Study projects Lake Powell elevations two years into the future. Under the “Most Probable” scenario, Lake Powell elevation falls to 3,513 feet, just 23 feet above the elevation that the hydroelectricity-generating turbines must be shut down. Under the “Minimum Probable” scenario, reservoir elevations fall to 3,490.6 feet, just inches above the level that power generation at Glen Canyon Dam must cease. Operating Glen Canyon Dam is possible below 3,490 feet, but electrical generation must be bypassed and the alternate outlet for the dam was not engineered to run continuously. With Lakes Mead and Powell sitting at one-third and one-quarter full, only 15 million acre-feet (MAF) of combined water storage exists. However, only 6.3 MAF is available for consumption since nearly 9 MAF of water sits below the deadpool elevation of the reservoirs (Colorado River Research Group, "Dancing with Deadpool"). That means that current accessible storage in the two large reservoirs is less than one year of Lower Basin water deliveries from Lake Powell (7.5 MAF). While the UCRB has faced significant drought challenges over the last 25 years, current and forecasted conditions are taking the basin into truly unprecedented waters.
January 13, 2026 - CO, UT, WY
The region experienced record-warm temperatures and below to near average precipitation in December. Below to much below normal snowpack conditions exist throughout Colorado, Utah, and eastern Wyoming, with the exception of above normal snowpack in western Wyoming. The first seasonal streamflow forecasts of the year suggest below average runoff in Colorado, Utah, and southeastern Wyoming river basins. Drought coverage remains at 54% for the region since late December, although snow drought is persisting. La Niña conditions are expected to transition to ENSO-neutral conditions during January-March.
December precipitation was below to near average throughout much of the region, with areas of less than 25% of average conditions in eastern Colorado, western and eastern Utah, and southern Wyoming. Pockets of less than 2% of average precipitation occurred in Tooele, Juab, and Millard Counties in western Utah, and Emery County in eastern Utah. These conditions also occurred in smaller pockets in northeastern and southeastern Colorado, and southwestern Wyoming. In contrast, areas of above average precipitation occurred in each state, particularly in northern and western Wyoming, where large pockets of 200% of average conditions occurred. Record-dry December precipitation occurred in Juab and Millard Counties in Utah, and in Logan, Sedgwick, and Phillips Counties in northeastern Colorado. Record-wet December precipitation occurred in Park, Teton, Hot Springs, Fremont, and Sublette Counties in northwestern Wyoming.
December temperatures were much above average throughout the region. Much of the region saw 9 to 12°F above average temperatures, with a large pocket of 12 to 15°F above average temperatures in western Wyoming, northern Utah, and northwestern Colorado. Pockets of 15°F or more above average temperatures occurred in three areas: one in Fremont and Natrona Counties in western Wyoming, another from southwestern Wyoming to northeastern Utah, and the last in Moffat County in northwestern Colorado. The entire region experienced much above average (top 10%) to record-warm temperatures in December. For weather monitoring sites with at least 50 years of data, 50 of 60 sites in Utah had a record-warm December, 31 of 75 sites had records in Colorado, and 34 of 46 sites had records in Wyoming. All SNOTEL sites except 1 had record-warm Decembers in Utah, all SNOTEL sites but 3 had records in Wyoming, and all SNOTEL sites but 16 had records in Colorado. These records vary from a few years to 47 years. A record-warm October-December was recorded at most regional SNOTEL sites. For example, all SNOTEL sites in Utah, except 3 in southern Utah, had a record-warm October-December.
Below to much below normal snow-water equivalent (SWE) continues to exist for Colorado, Utah, and eastern Wyoming as of January 1. River basins with less than 50% of normal SWE include the Upper Arkansas (47%) and Upper San Juan (45%) in Colorado, and the Weber (49%), Lower Colorado-Lake Mead (48%), Jordan (43%), Escalante Desert-Sevier Lake (35%), Great Salt Lake (31%), and Lower San Juan (18%) in Utah. In contrast, western Wyoming river basins have above normal SWE, including the Big Horn (111%), Upper Green (115%), Snake Headwaters (118%), and Upper Yellowstone (120%). Snow drought in the western U.S. continues to persist this winter, and according to NIDIS, over 80% of all Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL) stations in Colorado, Utah, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, and New Mexico are experiencing snow drought.
The first seasonal streamflow forecasts of the 2026 water year suggest below average runoff in Colorado, Utah, and southeastern Wyoming river basins, and near to above average runoff in northern and western Wyoming river basins. In Colorado, seasonal streamflow forecasts suggest 65-85% of average runoff for all river basins. Runoff in most Utah river basins is forecasted at 55-80% of average, except for the Upper Bear (91%) and Lower Bear (88%). Wyoming has a mix of streamflow forecasts, with below average forecasts in the Cheyenne (54%) and North Platte (84%) River Basins, near average forecasts in the Tongue (93%), Powder (94%), and Upper Green (106%) River Basins, and above average forecasts in the Upper Yellowstone (120%), Big Horn (136%), and Snake (147%) River Basins. Below average inflow is forecasted for Lake Powell (57%), Flaming Gorge (80%), McPhee (63%), Blue Mesa (63%), and Navajo (60%) Reservoirs. If drought conditions continue in 2026, the water level in Lake Powell is at risk of dropping below minimum power pool (3,490 feet above sea level), which will threaten dam infrastructure and halt hydropower generation at Glen Canyon Dam.
Regional drought coverage remained the same at 54% during December. Most of eastern Colorado and eastern Wyoming remain drought-free, but a pocket of exceptional (D4) drought developed in the northern mountains of Colorado in Eagle and Pitkin Counties. Coverage of severe (D2) drought decreased by 8% in Wyoming but increased in Utah by 13%. There were two pockets of 2 Class Improvement in drought in western Wyoming and a pocket of 2 Class Degradation in drought in southeastern Wyoming.
A La Niña Advisory is still in effect as eastern Pacific Ocean temperatures are below average. La Niña conditions are expected to transition (65% probability) to ENSO-neutral conditions during January-March. The NOAA January Precipitation Outlook suggests an increased probability of above average precipitation in Wyoming, Utah, and northwestern Colorado. The NOAA January Temperature Outlook suggests an increased probability of above average temperatures in Utah, Colorado, and southwestern Wyoming. The NOAA Seasonal Outlooks for January-March suggest an increased probability of above average precipitation in Wyoming and below average precipitation in southern Utah and southern Colorado, and above average temperatures throughout much of Colorado and Utah and below average temperatures in northeastern Wyoming.
Significant weather event: High wind events on the Front Range. On December 17 and 19, the Front Range of Colorado faced two severe windstorms that brought hurricane-force gusts, widespread damage and power outages, and significant wildfire danger. On December 17, the first of the two high wind events occurred, where the strongest peak gust in the Front Range reached 109 mph at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Mesa Lab in south Boulder, followed by peak gusts of 102 mph at Rocky Flats and 96 mph in Marshall, both south of Boulder. In the mountains, some ski resorts reported even stronger gusts, reaching 124 mph at Breckenridge’s Peak 6 and 124 mph at Winter Park’s Parsenn Bowl. Ahead of this wind event, Xcel Energy initiated a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) for nearly 50,000 residents in Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld Counties to prevent wildfire ignition from downed power lines. By sunset, more than 115,000 people were without power due to the windstorm. On December 18, the National Weather Service issued a Particularly Dangerous Situation for December 19 along the Front Range, the first time in Colorado history. On December 19, the second high wind event slammed the Front Range again, coupled with warmer winds and an even lower relative humidity under 10%. The strongest peak gust reached 113 mph at the NCAR Mesa Lab in Boulder, likely the strongest wind recorded at that location in over 10 years, and nearly as strong as the peak gust of 115 mph recorded near Highway 93 during the Marshall Fire in December 2021. Xcel Energy implemented another widespread power shutoff due to the extreme wildfire conditions, cutting power to 69,000 residents in the morning, with another 20,000 people already without power due to damage from the previous windstorm and power shutoff.
Image credit: NWS Boulder on December 18, 2025. "PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION FRIDAY. We rarely issue these, but Friday will be a Particularly Dangerous Situation regarding potential for rapid wildfire spread in and immediately adjacent to the Boulder/Jefferson County foothills. Be ready to take swift action."
Sources:
https://www.cpr.org/2025/12/17/xcel-power-shutoff-high-winds-wednesday/
https://www.cpr.org/2025/12/19/nearly-90000-xcel-customers-without-power-friday-morning/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_17%E2%80%9320,_2025_North_American_storm_complex
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/weather/denver-winds-fire-colorado.html