<\/p>\n
This week, portions of Montezuma and La Plata counties dropped out of the worst drought category, thanks to recent snowstorms.<\/p>\n
Most of Montezuma County in now in \u201cextreme drought,\u201d down from the \u201cexceptional drought\u201d category, the highest of five levels on the U.S. Drought Monitor.<\/p>\n
However, the southern portion of Montezuma County along the New Mexico border remains in \u201cexceptional drought.\u201d<\/p>\n
Portions of La Plata County also improved. The mountainous northern county dropped two levels to \u201csevere drought,\u201d the third level of drought out of five.<\/p>\n
The middle county valleys dropped one level to \u201cexceptional,\u201d and the southern portion of La Plata County remains in \u201cexceptional drought.\u201d<\/p>\n
Recent snowfall has put Cortez above normal for the year, said Jim Andrus, a weather observer for the National Weather Service.<\/p>\n
For the winter season, October through May, Cortez has had 33.9 inches of snowfall, which is 110% of normal. Average winter snowfall through May is 36 inches.<\/p>\n
Snowfall for February is 13.8 inches of snow, or 184% of the 7.5-inch monthly average.<\/p>\n
Precipitation so far this year in Cortez is 2.07 inches, or 114% of normal. The figure includes rain and snow water equivalent.<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite the La Ni\u00f1a climate pattern which controls our weather this winter, upper-air circulation in mid-January replaced a dry high-pressure ridge over the Southwest with a low-pressure trough, which steered Pacific Northwest storms southeast over the Four Corners,\u201d Andrus said. \u201cThis increased precipitation and snowfall over the first two months of 2021 to above-normal levels.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drought conditions still exist, but the situation is slowly improving, said Greg Felsen, CSU Ag Extension Agent for Montezuma County.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are continuing to be cautious. People right now are still managing the risk for the drought in adjusting cattle allotments and planting rates for the season.\u201d<\/p>\n
Looking ahead, the hope is that temperatures stay cool and the winds stay calm.<\/p>\n
If it sticks around \u201cthe low elevation, snowpack will improve soil moisture needed by farmers to get a good start,\u201d he said. But high temperatures and annual spring winds could wick it away quickly.<\/p>\n
The county is partnering with the Montezuma County Agriculture Extension Office, Southwestern Colorado Research Center, Colorado Agricultural Alliance, and Rocky Mountain Farmers Union to form a drought mitigation team, Felsen said.<\/p>\n
It features drought planning information. Visit the ag extension<\/a> and research center<\/a> websites to learn more. Drought mitigation videos and information are posted soon on the Montezuma County website<\/a> and Montezuma County YouTube channel<\/a>.<\/p>\n