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Executive Summary (25 July 2008) "Final" version at: http://www.cdc.noaa.gov/people/klaus.wolter/SWcusts/ • Amoderate-to-strong La Nina occurred from late last summer into this spring season, but may have faded, at least for now. Most forecasts show continued near-neutral conditions into the upcoming winter, but a return of La Nina is still possible, especially since stronger La Nina events to last more than one winter. • The last three months have brought below-normal moisture to much of Colorado. Since the snowpack was mostly above-average going into the spring season, and since temperatures remained on the cool side until June, this deficit went largely unnoticed. However, above-average temperatures returned in July, and have worsened the drought in eastern Colorado that had been building since last fall. The next two weeks will hinge on the `performance' of ex-hurricane `Dolly' as its remnants work their way inland,, and appear poised to give Colorado amuch-needed boost in its monsoonal moisture. • My experimental forecast guidance for late summer is still optimistic (wet) for eastern and southwestern Colorado, in contrast with typical La Nina summers that tend to be drier than average over eastern Colorado in particular. Given the large, mostly dry footprint of La Nina in Colorado that materialized over the last nine months, it would be a pleasant surprise for these wet forecasts to verify. On the other hand, CPC models advertize a wet early fall season over north-)eastern Colorado, so I am not the only one predicting this wetness. • Bottomline: The last four weeks have seen a rapid worsening of drought conditions in eastern Colorado, leading to moderate-to-severe drought conditions. Even if the monsoon gets going in earnest over the next two weeks, the possible return of La Nina needs to be watched this fall given its link to drought in our state.