WATFMeetingSummaryJan2008

• Title: January 2008 Drought Update
• Date: 1/29/2008
• Description: Water Availability Task Force Governor's Report
• Basin: Statewide
• Drought Mitigation - Doc Type: WATF Meeting Summary

JANUARY 2008 DROUGHT UPDATE

Colorado SNOTEL April 1 Snowpack Projection Map*

Percent of Average

_>150
I:::J 130 - 150
I:::J 110 - 129
[==190 - 109
I=:J 70 - 89
~50-69
11II< 50'

As of January 18, statewide SNOTEL
snowpack is 122% of average. The NRCS
Snowpacl( Projection Map, which illustrates a
scenario of a wet future from January to April
1, where precipitation would be exceeded 30%
of the time, statewide SNOTEL snowpack
would be 112% of average. The southern half
of Colorado would range from 122% to 136%
of average. Northern Colorado would range
from 98% to 101 % of average. The South
Platte basin would be the lowest average
among the river basins.

Provisional Data
Sutfect to Re~{ isian

Current as of Jan 18. 2008

"Based on 70% Non-Exceedence Projections

In contrast, the adjacent NRCS
Snowpack Projection Map illustrates a
scenario, under future dry conditions,
where future precipitation would
typically exceed this amount 70% of the
time. This scenario forecasts 105% of
average snowpack statewide, with the
North and South Platte basins, and the
Yampa/ White basin recording 88% of
average. The southern half of the State
would record well over 100% of
average.

Colorado SNOTEL April 1 Snowpack Projection Map*

Percent of Average

_>150
I:::J 130 - 150
I:::J 110 - 129
I=:J 90 -109
I=:J 70 -89
~50-69
11II< 50

Provisional Data
Sutfect to Rev isian

Current as of Jan 18. 2008

"Based on 30% Non-Exceedence Projections

u.s. Drought Monitor
~J',"'{
~ -
. 'vJ

January 8, 2008
Valid i a.m, EST

~~
'VCC>
()

The U.S. Drought Monitor shows the eastern part of
Colorado to be abnormally dry. Due to La Nifia
predictions, it is expected to be a dry spring and summer
and drought concerns will be high. The Southwest and
eastern regions of the country are also experiencing
drought conditions.

,Q

Intensitv: DrouGht Imoaet Tvoes'
C DQ Abnormally Dry r-' Delineales dominanl impacts

Ii g; g~~~~~:: ~:':r~te A.. Agricultural (cr;ia~'Saa:~~~es. ~

. D3 Drought - Extreme H = Hydrolog ical (water)
. D4 Drought. Exceptional I USDA ~ ~~. I

TIJ", Drougllt Moni/or focuses on broad-scaf", conditions, ~--- "'_~C~1" ~ .
Local conditions may va/y. See accompanying text summa/y .
for fofB'Cast statements, Released Thursday, January 10, 2008
http://drought.unl.eduldm Author: Rich Tinker, Climato Prodiction ConteT, NOAA

Lon!! Term Forecast SUmmary

Forecasters believe that it is too soon to predict long term conditions. There is agreement that the current La Nifia is likely
to persist for the next three months, possibly through the summer. The recent surplus of moisture, via snowpack, may be
sufficient enough to avoid an outright return to drought conditions. However, because of the predicted strength and
persistence of La Nifia, the odds of long term moisture relief is not very optimistic.

NOTE:

The Inaps and graphics depicted in this report were those presented at the January 18, 2008 meeting and may have been updated since the meeting.