Drought in Colorado, November 1 to 30, 2025

Name: Drought in Colorado, November 1 to 30, 2025
Start: 2025-11-01T00:00
End: 2025-11-30T23:59
Location: Colorado

November 1 to 30, 2025 · NWS GJT · 21 events in 21 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 21 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 21

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS GJT wrote it up.

The month of November was overall warmer than normal across eastern Utah and western Colorado, but was wetter or drier than normal depending on where you stood. Additionally, much of the area still saw benefits from the well above normal precipitation that occurred in October. As a result, only minor changes to drought of Severe (D2), Moderate (D1), or Abnormally Dry (D0) categories occurred with each update, but the area of Extreme (D3) Drought remained unchanged through the month.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Grand Junction, CO wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Oct 31, 10:08 PM MST, 1 hour 52 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Unseasonably warm and dry conditions persist into next week with the potential for precipitation returning Thursday, mainly north of I-70.

Area forecast discussion, Oct 31, 10:08 PM MST, 1 hour 52 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
1108 PM MDT Fri Oct 31 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Unseasonably warm and dry conditions persist into next week
  with the potential for precipitation returning Thursday,
  mainly north of I-70.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 319 PM MDT Fri Oct 31 2025

Northwesterly flow will hold high temperatures on Saturday
around 5 degrees above normal for the beginning of November.
Cloud cover looks to be less robust than what we saw this
morning, but with increased atmospheric moisture moving through
the region this weekend, scattered clouds will make an
appearance from time to time. This moisture is not expected to
produce any precipitation due to the absence of ascent with high
pressure building in.

&&

.LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Issued at 319 PM MDT Fri Oct 31 2025

Ridging aloft will keep anomalous moisture to our north through
at least Wednesday. With near or below normal atmospheric
moisture, and minimal sources of upper level support moving
through, quiet weather will persist until late in the workweek.
On Monday night a small disturbance passes through the region,
but moisture will be limited at the time so no precipitation is
anticipated. While ridging allows for west to southwesterly flow
to prevail, high temperatures will stay elevated at around 10
degrees above normal through Wednesday.

Thursday looks to be the earliest a pattern change might occur
as a shallow trough moves across the Rockies. Latest runs of the
ECMWF Ens and GFS Ens seem to suggest the possibility of
weather in the northern mountains, but there is enough
disagreement between members to keep confidence low regarding
impacts from this potential trough passage.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 1107 PM MDT Fri Oct 31 2025

VFR conditions and light winds will prevail over the next 24
hours. Periods of passing high clouds through the early
afternoon hours will then give way to mostly clear skies.

&&

.GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...

CO...None.
UT...None.

&&

SHORT TERM...KAA
LONG TERM...GF
AVIATION...TGJT

Hazardous weather outlook, Oct 31, 2:14 AM MST, 21 hours 46 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
314 AM MDT Fri Oct 31 2025

COZ001>014-017>023-UTZ022>025-027>029-010915-
Lower Yampa River Basin-Central Yampa River Basin-
Roan and Tavaputs Plateaus-Elkhead and Park Mountains-
Upper Yampa River Basin-Grand Valley-Debeque to Silt Corridor-
Central Colorado River Basin-Grand and Battlement Mesas-
Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys-
Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin-
West Elk and Sawatch Mountains-Flat Tops-Upper Gunnison River Valley-
Uncompahgre Plateau and Dallas Divide-Northwest San Juan Mountains-
Southwest San Juan Mountains-Paradox Valley/Lower Dolores River-
Four Corners/Upper Dolores River-Animas River Basin-
San Juan River Basin-Southeast Utah-Eastern Uinta Mountains-
Eastern Uinta Basin-Tavaputs Plateau-Arches/Grand Flat-
La Sal and Abajo Mountains-Canyonlands/Natural Bridges-
314 AM MDT Fri Oct 31 2025

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Colorado, southwest
Colorado, west central Colorado, east central Utah, northeast Utah
and southeast Utah.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

21 drought. Local standard time, as filed.

Drought, Lower Yampa River Basin

When: November 1, 12:00 AM MST to November 30, 11:59 PM MST
Where: Lower Yampa River Basin forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 40.066, -108.109 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of the month of November, the US Drought Monitor analyzed an area of Extreme (D3) Drought as covering roughly 5% of Colorado Zone 001 - Lower Yampa River Basin. The remainder of the zone saw 35% coverage of Severe (D2) Drought, and 60% coverage of Moderate (D1) Drought. These conditions remained unchanged through the end of the month.

Drought, Central Yampa River Basin

When: November 1, 12:00 AM MST to November 13, 11:59 PM MST
Where: Central Yampa River Basin forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 40.361, -107.805 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The US Drought Monitor removed the last area of Extreme (D3) Drought from Colorado Zone 002 - Central Yampa River Basin on October 14th, 2025. Extreme (D3) Drought has not reoccurred for a month, therefore this will be the last entry for this zone until such time as Extreme (D3) Drought reoccurs.

Drought, Roan and Tavaputs Plateaus

When: November 1, 12:00 AM MST to November 14, 11:59 PM MST
Where: Roan and Tavaputs Plateaus forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 39.532, -108.196 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The US Drought Monitor removed the last area of Extreme (D3) Drought from Colorado Zone 003 - Roan and Tavaputs Plateaus on October 14th, 2025. Extreme (D3) Drought has not reoccurred for a month. Therefore this will be the last entry for this zone until such time as Extreme (D3) Drought redevelops in this zone.

Drought, Elkhead and Park Mountains

When: November 1, 12:00 AM MST to November 13, 11:59 PM MST
Where: Elkhead and Park Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 40.552, -107.599 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The US Drought Monitor removed the last area of Extreme (D3) Drought from Colorado Zone 004 - Elkhead and Park Mountains on October 14th, 2025. Extreme (D3) Drought has not reoccurred for a month. Therefore this will be the last entry for this zone until such time as Extreme (D3) Drought redevelops.

Drought, Upper Yampa River Basin

When: November 1, 12:00 AM MST to November 13, 11:59 PM MST
Where: Upper Yampa River Basin forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 40.485, -106.991 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The US Drought Monitor removed the last area of Extreme (D3) Drought from Colorado Zone 005 - Upper Yampa River Basin on October 14th, 2025. Extreme (D3) Drought has not reoccurred for a month. Therefore this will be the last entry for this zone until such time as Extreme (D3) Drought redevelops in the zone.

Drought, Grand Valley

When: November 1, 12:00 AM MST to November 13, 11:59 PM MST
Where: Grand Valley forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 39.308, -108.185 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The US Drought Monitor removed the last area of Extreme (D3) Drought in Colorado Zone 006 - Grand Valley on October 14th, 2025. Extreme (D3) Drought has not reoccurred for a month. Therefore this will be the last entry for this zone until such time as Extreme (D3) Drought redevelops in the zone.

Drought, Debeque to Silt Corridor

When: November 1, 12:00 AM MST to November 13, 11:59 PM MST
Where: Debeque to Silt Corridor forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 39.308, -108.185 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The US Drought Monitor removed the last area of Extreme (D3) Drought from Colorado Zone 007 - De Beque to Silt Corridor on October 14th, 2025. Extreme (D3) Drought did not reoccur for a month. Therefore this will be the last entry for this zone until such time as Extreme (D3) Drought redevelops.

Drought, Central Colorado River Basin

When: November 1, 12:00 AM MST to November 30, 11:59 PM MST
Where: Central Colorado River Basin forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 39.481, -107.172 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of the month of November, the US Drought Monitor analyzed an area of Extreme (D3) Drought as covering roughly 30% of Colorado Zone 008 - Central Colorado River Basin. The remainder of the zone was under Severe (D2) conditions. These conditions remained unchanged through the end of the month.

Drought, Grand and Battlement Mesas

When: November 1, 12:00 AM MST to November 13, 11:59 PM MST
Where: Grand and Battlement Mesas forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 39.159, -108.078 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The US Drought Monitor removed the last area of Extreme (D3) Drought from Colorado Zone 009 - Grand and Battlement Mesas on October 14th, 2025. Extreme (D3) Drought did not reoccur for a month. Therefore this will be the last entry for this zone until such time as Extreme (D3) Drought redevelops.

Drought, Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys

When: November 1, 12:00 AM MST to November 30, 11:59 PM MST
Where: Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 39.481, -107.172 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of the month of November, the US Drought Monitor analyzed an area of Extreme (D3) Drought covering roughly 70% of Colorado Zone 010 - Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys. The remainder of the zone saw 20% coverage of Severe (D2) Drought, and 10% coverage of Moderate (D1) Drought. There were no changes in drought conditions between this point and the end of the month.

Drought, Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin

When: November 1, 12:00 AM MST to November 13, 11:59 PM MST
Where: Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 38.737, -107.907 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The US Drought Monitor removed the last area of Extreme (D3) Drought from Colorado Zone 011 - Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin on October 14th, 2025. Extreme (D3) Drought did not reoccur for a month. Therefore this will be the last entry for this zone until such time as Extreme (D3) Drought redevelops.

Drought, West Elk and Sawatch Mountains

When: November 1, 12:00 AM MST to November 13, 11:59 PM MST
Where: West Elk and Sawatch Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 38.643, -107.721 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The US Drought Monitor removed the last area of Extreme (D3) Drought from Colorado Zone 012 - West Elk and Sawatch Mountains on October 14th, 2025. Extreme (D3) Drought did not reoccur for a month. Therefore this will be the last entry for this zone until such time as Extreme (D3) Drought redevelops.

Drought, Flattop Mountains

When: November 1, 12:00 AM MST to November 13, 11:59 PM MST
Where: Flattop Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 40.062, -107.603 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The US Drought Monitor removed the last area of Extreme (D3) Drought from Colorado Zone 013 - Flattop Mountains on October 14th, 2025. Extreme (D3) Drought did not reoccur for a month. Therefore this will be the last entry for this zone until such time as Extreme (D3) Drought redevelops.

Drought, Upper Gunnison River Valley

When: November 1, 12:00 AM MST to November 13, 11:59 PM MST
Where: Upper Gunnison River Valley forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 38.535, -107.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The US Drought Monitor removed the last area of Extreme (D3) Drought from Colorado Zone 014 - Upper Gunnison River Valley on October 14th, 2025. Extreme (D3) Drought did not reoccur for a month. Therefore this will be the last entry for this zone until such time as Extreme (D3) Drought redevelops.

Drought, Uncompahgre Plateau and Dallas Divide

When: November 1, 12:00 AM MST to November 13, 11:59 PM MST
Where: Uncompahgre Plateau and Dallas Divide forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 38.488, -108.155 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The US Drought Monitor removed the last area of Extreme (D3) Drought from Colorado Zone 017 - Uncompahgre Plateau and Dallas Divide on October 14th, 2025. Extreme (D3) Drought did not reoccur for a month. Therefore this will be the last entry for this zone until such time as Extreme (D3) Drought redevelops.

Drought, Northwestern San Juan Mountains

When: November 1, 12:00 AM MST to November 13, 11:59 PM MST
Where: Northwestern San Juan Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 38.210, -107.755 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The US Drought Monitor removed the last area of Extreme (D3) Drought from Colorado Zone 018 - Northwestern San Juan Mountains on October 14th, 2025. Extreme (D3) Drought did not reoccur for a month. Therefore this will be the last entry for this zone until such time as Extreme (D3) Drought redevelops.

Drought, Southwestern San Juan Mountains

When: November 1, 12:00 AM MST to November 13, 11:59 PM MST
Where: Southwestern San Juan Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 37.594, -107.912 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The US Drought Monitor removed the last area of Extreme (D3) Drought from Colorado Zone 019 - Southwestern San Juan Mountains on October 14th, 2025. Extreme (D3) Drought did not reoccur for a month. Therefore this will be the last entry for this zone until such time as Extreme (D3) Drought redevelops.

Drought, Paradox Valley / Lower Dolores River Basin

When: November 1, 12:00 AM MST to November 13, 11:59 PM MST
Where: Paradox Valley / Lower Dolores River Basin forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 38.294, -108.414 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The US Drought Monitor removed the last area of Extreme (D3) Drought from Colorado Zone 020 - Paradox Valley/Lower Dolores River Basin on October 14th, 2025. Extreme (D3) Drought did not reoccur for a month. Therefore this will be the last entry for this zone until such time as Extreme (D3) Drought redevelops.

Drought, Four Corners / Upper Dolores River Basin

When: November 1, 12:00 AM MST to November 13, 11:59 PM MST
Where: Four Corners / Upper Dolores River Basin forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 37.698, -108.507 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The US Drought Monitor removed the last area of Extreme (D3) Drought from Colorado Zone 021 - Four Corners/Upper Dolores River Basin on October 14th, 2025. Extreme (D3) Drought did not reoccur for a month. Therefore this will be the last entry for this zone until such time as Extreme (D3) Drought redevelops.

Drought, Animas River Basin

When: November 1, 12:00 AM MST to November 13, 11:59 PM MST
Where: Animas River Basin forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 37.287, -107.843 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The US Drought Monitor removed the last area of Extreme (D3) Drought from Colorado Zone 022 - Animas River Basin on October 14th, 2025. Extreme (D3) Drought did not reoccur for a month. Therefore this will be the last entry for this zone until such time as Extreme (D3) Drought redevelops.

Drought, San Juan River Basin

When: November 1, 12:00 AM MST to November 13, 11:59 PM MST
Where: San Juan River Basin forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 37.194, -107.048 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The US Drought Monitor removed the last area of Extreme (D3) Drought from Colorado Zone 023 - San Juan River Basin on October 14th, 2025. Extreme (D3) Drought did not reoccur for a month. Therefore this will be the last entry for this zone until such time as Extreme (D3) Drought redevelops.

What these are

Drought: A drought reaching severe (D2) or worse on the US Drought Monitor, or with notable impacts.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Colorado in 2025 Every state in 2025 This day in weather history Warnings in Colorado, November 2025

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1300663, 1300664, 1300665, 1300666, 1300667, 1300668, 1300669, 1300671, 1300672, 1300673, 1300675, 1300676, 1300677, 1300678, 1300679, 1300680, 1300681, 1300682, 1300683, 1300684, 1300685.