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San Juan/Dolores Basin The SWSI value (+0.8) indicates that December water basin supplies were near nonnal. Flow at the gaging station at Animas River near Durango was 321 cfs, as compared to the long-term average of 228 cfs. Storage in McPhee, Vallecito, and Lemon reservoir totaled 88% of nonnal at the end of December. Monthly Climate Report Nolan Doesken. Colorado State Universitv. Colorado Climate Center Mr. Doesken commented that Boulder has been getting a lot of moisture, and that Fort Collins is also doing ok. (Boulder has had six months of above nonnal precipitation, which is the longest consecutive period in the last ten years.) He reported that the last three days of December had good precipitation for Colorado, and that the southwest had some good stonns. Mr. Doesken said December was mostly dry and had below average precipitation (especially the eastern plains), but that the southwest Colorado Mountains received highly above average precipitation. Mr. Doesken mentioned the 3-Month SPI shows us a favorable side--nothing real negative; the 12-Month SPI shows a wet southeast, dry northeast, and wet up the front range. He said the 48-Month SPI is hanging on to a long-term, long-duration drought, particularly in the northeast and southwest. Mr. Doesken stated the January precipitation will have an impact here. He also noted that we were up to 85% of the state in a drought, which was the most widespread drought condition shown based on this 48-month computation. Mr. Doesken explained that the 48-Month SPI now is down to only 21 % in drought which is a rapid decline in the area of the state effected. He said there was also a rapid decline in the dustbowl years, and then it reverted back to a drought. Mr. Doesken commented that a big, wide-spread drought usually lasts longer than this one has so far, and anything can happen. He said the years of 1938 and 1939 were the driest years in our state history. Mr. Doesken's predictions for the next 12 months show only a portion of the state in drought if the next six months are dry. He stated we could recover if it stays wet through the summer or for the next 12 months. Mr. Doesken encouraged people to visit the "cocorahs" website at www.cocorahs.org. Short-term Forecasted Weather and Extended Outlook Bob Glancv. National Weather Service Mr. Glancy predicted wanner temperatures for this Wednesday and Thursday and then back to the 50's for this Friday. His forecast for Saturday is cooler and for Sunday to be fairly mild. Mr. Glancy also forecasted wanner temperatures in the west and colder in the east for this next week, and stated that the wind blowing at this time means higher temperatures. Mr. Glancy predicted dry, windy, warmer weather for the next seven days with a possibility of flurries in the mountains. He also warned of the avalanche danger during these times.