With the heavy rains Colorado experienced early this summer, the drought was nearly entirely wiped out—good news, indeed.
But experts warn Coloradans not to become complacent, as the conditions that caused the drought in the first place are likely to return.
According to CBS Colorado, total rainfall in June was 2.03 inches—1.37 inches above normal. Total precipitation for the year through June 8, including melted snow, was 10.35 inches—4.20 inches above normal, or “only about 4 inches below what Denver typically measures for the entire year.”
In all, drought covered only 1% of Colorado in early June, and Colorado reservoirs were 100% of normal, “the fullest they’ve been in three years,” according to Fresh Water News, a publication of Water Education Colorado. (It’s important to note that “100% of normal” doesn’t mean full, “but it does mean that the reservoirs have returned to health,” and were 75% full over the statewide system at that time, notes Fresh Water News.)
A few areas of the state were still “abnormally dry,” but that is the “least intense level of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor,” reports the publication.
While that’s reason to rejoice, Assistant State Climatologist Becky Bolinger told Fresh Water News that the situation is likely to change. “Remember, we live in Colorado, it will dry out again. We aren’t going to stay in this wet pattern forever. Enjoy it while it lasts.”