Drought worsens in Colorado and across the West amid ‘lackluster monsoon’

Drought conditions worsen across New Mexico, West

The Elephant Butte Reservoir, pictured above on July 30, 2026, remains at 1.4% of its capacity, according to a new drought outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Photo courtesy New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department) Record-breaking July temperatures have left nearly 95% of New Mexico in some degree of drought, according to a new outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a…

Drought worsens in Colorado and across the West amid ‘lackluster monsoon’

Drought conditions continue to expand across Colorado and the West as forecasters predict above-average temperatures for at least the next two weeks. An Aug. 20 drought status update from the National Integrated Drought Information System describes how record-breaking July temperatures and a “lackluster monsoon” have left nearly 95% of the Intermountain West in drought. So far, this year has been the hottest on record for nearly every county for…