WATFMeetingSummaryFeb2008

• Title: February 2008 Drought Update
• Date: 2/20/2008
• Description: Summary of February 2008 Water Availability Task Force Meeting
• Basin: Statewide
• Drought Mitigation - Doc Type: WATF Meeting Summary

FEBRUARY 2008 DROUGHT UPDATE

Colorado SNOTEL April 1 Snowpack Projection Map*

Percent of Average

_>150
I=:J 130 - 150
I=:J 110 - 129
1=:J'90 -109
I=:J 70 - 89
~50-59
_<50

As of February 20th, statewide SNOTEL
snowpacl( is 112% of average. The Upper Rio
Grande basin recorded the second highest
snowpack, 173% of average, since 1968 & has
exceeded or set new SNOTEL data marks. The
Upper Rio, Arkansas, San Miguel, Gunnison
has already reached their average peak of
snowfall. The Yampa/White basin has a 30%
chance or better to reach peale The Colorado
basin has a 10% chance they will not reach
peak and the South Platte has a 30-50% chance
to have an average year in terms of snowfall.

Provisional Data
Subject to Revision

Current as of Jan 18. 2008

~Based on 70% Non-Exceedence Projections

The adjacent map illustrates the three
month Standardized Precipitation Index
(SPI) and shows, overall, less than 2%
of the State is experiencing drought
conditions. The yellow shading in the
southeastern part of the State illustrates
continuing moderate drought conditions.
According to forecasts, the pattern will
likely continue, as the mountains will
experience wet conditions and the plains
will remain dry.

Febr~~~d?:.2.~;T 2008

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The U.S. Drought Monitor continues to show the
eastern part of Colorado to be abnormally dry. Due to
La Nina 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. Conditions have
remained the same as they were a month ago.

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~ Drouaht Imoact Tvoes'
~ DO Abnormally Dry r-' Delineates dominanl impacts

Ii g~ g;~~~~:: ~::r:te A - Agricultural (~ia;sfaa:~~;es. c:::/

. D3 Drought - Extreme H = Hydrological (water)
. D4 Drought. Exceptional I USDA ~ (<-:~. I

Th~ DroeJglli Moni/or focuSl!S on broad-scal~ conditions, :iIiiiii .....-:::v""..~M<"". ~ (.-
Local comMions may va/)'. See accompanying text summa/)'
for forecast statements, Released Thursday, February 14, 2008
http://drought.unl.edu/dm Authorn: Jay LawrimorolLiz Love-Brotak, NOAA/NESDfS/NCDC

Loot! Term Forecast SUmmary

Forecasters predict the month of March will begin with increased chances for drier than normal conditions over all of
Colorado. In the recent past, moderate La Nina's have resulted in warmer than normal spring temperatures in Colorado
and near normal precipitation over much of the State. Forecasters predict increased odds in wetter than normal conditions
for eastern Colorado from April through June. Reliability in this forecast for eastern Colorado plains is high based on
previous predictions but the forecast for western Colorado remains unclear.

NOTE:

The Inaps and graphics depicted in this report were those presented at the February 20, 2008 Ineeting and Inay have been updated since the Ineeting.