Drought, River Flow, & Snowpack update

Drought conditions are expected to persist for much of the Western US through the summer

Drought conditions are expected to persist for much of the Western US through the summer

Thursday – 19 May 2022 – 5:15pm

This is a mid-month update. The details are below.

Our nearby basins received 85% of the seasonal precipitation.  That's not bad! Thank goodness for the big late December storm cycle. It accounted for roughly 35% of the total!
Our nearby basins received 85% of the seasonal precipitation. That’s not bad! Thank goodness for the big late December storm cycle. It accounted for roughly 35% of the total!
That snowpack melted in a hurry.  Our nearby basins are already down to 3% of average.
That snowpack melted in a hurry. Our nearby basins are already down to 3% of average.
The 30 day San Juan River flow is on the top and the bottom is for the Piedra River. Both rivers have peaked well ahead of normal.  The San Juan River typically peaks the first week of June and the Piedra peaks the last week of May.
The 30 day San Juan River flow is on the top and the bottom is for the Piedra River. Both rivers have peaked ahead of normal. The San Juan River typically peaks the first week of June and the Piedra peaks the last week of May.
These are lake levels for the primary reservoirs tracked in the Upper Colorado River shed. I highlighted the San Juan River drainage lakes at the bottom of the table. I did some digging to determine that Navajo Lake bottomed out at 49.85% of full pool on 16 Mar.  It has gained 6% and is still slowly rising. As of yesterday, 18 May, inflows were 1,913cfs and outflows were 290cfs. Inflows peaked on 9 May at 2,951cfs.
These are lake levels for the primary reservoirs tracked in the Upper Colorado River shed. I highlighted the San Juan River drainage lakes at the bottom of the table. I did some digging to determine that Navajo Lake bottomed out at 49.85% of full pool on 16 Mar. It has gained 6% and is still slowly rising. As of yesterday, 18 May, inflows were 1,913cfs and outflows were 290cfs. Inflows peaked on 9 May at 2,951cfs.
Today's drought map is on the left, and the one for 3 May is on the right. Conditions for most of Southwest Colorado and the San Luis Valley have worsened.  Most of Archuleta County is now experiencing "Severe Drought" and the southeast corner is under "Extreme Drought".
Today’s drought map is on the left, and the one for 3 May is on the right. Drought conditions for most of southwest Colorado and the San Luis Valley have worsened. Most of Archuleta County is now experiencing “Severe Drought” and the southeast corner is under “Extreme Drought”.
The Drought Outlook updated today expects the drought to persist through the summer for most of the Western US.
The Drought Outlook updated today expects the drought to persist through the summer for most of the Western US.
The CPC's first look at June expects above average temps and below average precip.  They'll update this again the last couple of days in May. I agree with this outlook at this point. Arleen will do a summer outlook by 1 June.
The CPC’s first look at June expects above average temps and below average precip. They’ll update this again the last couple of days in May. Right now I agree with this outlook. Arleen will do a summer outlook by 1 June.

A HUGE thanks to our donors and sponsors! You help cover the cost of this web page and our weather subscriptions, necessary to provide you accurate weather reports!

Another HUGE thanks to our followers. We feel the love!

  • Shawn

Pagosa Weather Blizzard Level Sponsor

Pagosa Weather Storm Sponsor

Shawn Pro

Shawn Pro

I’ve been a “weather geek” since I was young child. I joined the military out of high school and was lucky to get my dream job in weather. I have 20 years of military weather experience which includes forecasting the weather all over the world. Highlights were six years in Alaska and making life and death weather decisions during deployments. I love mountains, I love snow, and I love summertime thunderstorms. I spend a bunch of time playing outdoors and found my paradise in Pagosa Springs. I do Pagosa Weather as a community service. Hopefully you find us helpful!
Get Pagosa Weather Updates

Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts by email.

One Response

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Pagosa Weather Disclaimer and Release of Liability

This website makes no guarantees about nor bears any responsibility or liability concerning the accuracy or timeliness of the weather information published on this website. All weather information published on this website is for educational and weather enthusiast purposes only. We do not issue Storm Watches, Warnings or Advisories as that ability falls with the National Weather Service, who is the only institution allowed to issue such warnings by law. We are not in any way linked nor affiliated with the National Weather Service, although we do share information and relay weather watches/ warnings, etc. Use of the information on page is at your own risk/discretion, and we are not responsible for any personal/property damages, injury or death associated with weather forecasts, reports or other information as well as communication exchanged in private messages and/or person.

Terms of Use                  Privacy Policy

 

© 2023 Pagosa Weathe

Website Design by : Brandon