Idaho And Western United States SNOTEL Water Year (Oct 1) to Date Precipitation % of Normal (1/13)

Bureau of Reclamation, Pacific Northwest Region - Storage Reservoirs in the Upper Snake River (1/12)

Average daily streamflows indicated in cubic feet per second.
Reservoir levels current as of midnight on date indicated.

Upper Snake River system is at 49 % of capacity.
(Jackson Lake,Palisades, Grassy Lake,Island Park,Ririe,American Falls,LakeWalcott)
Total space available:	2050750 AF
Total storage capacity:	4045695 AF

This Week's Drought Summary (1/8)

The past week featured above-normal temperatures across much of the western half of the U.S. Areas west of the Mississippi River generally experienced near- to above-normal temperatures, with portions of the northern Rocky Mountains running 15–20°F above normal for the week. These warm conditions favored rain over snow, which is critical for winter water supply in the West, and many locations continue to experience a slow start to the snow season.

In contrast, cooler-than-normal temperatures dominated the Florida Peninsula, with departures of 5–10°F below normal across southern Florida. Below-normal temperatures were also widespread from the Upper Midwest into the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, where departures of 5°F or more below normal were common. Parts of New England were particularly cold, with temperatures 10–15°F below normal.

Outside of the West, above-normal precipitation was limited to pockets of the Southeast, Florida, and the Upper Midwest. Much of the West recorded more than 100% of normal precipitation for the week, with large portions of California receiving over 200% of normal.

Northeast

Much of the region experienced a dry week, with the exception of areas downwind of the Great Lakes, where lake-effect snow was significant. Portions of western New York received several feet of snow as snow squalls developed off lakes Erie and Ontario. Nearly the entire region observed below-normal temperatures, with the coldest anomalies in New England, where departures of 9–10°F below normal were common.

Most of the region saw no changes to drought conditions. Improvements to moderate drought and abnormally dry conditions were noted in western New York. Along the Maine coast, recent precipitation led to improvements in extreme drought. Moderate drought improved over northern Pennsylvania due to a wetter pattern.

Conversely, abnormally dry conditions expanded in eastern Massachusetts, while moderate and severe drought expanded across New Jersey and moderate drought extended onto Long Island. The Mid-Atlantic experienced the greatest drought expansion, with severe drought spreading across central Maryland and much of central Virginia. Moderate drought also expanded along the coastal areas of Maryland and Virginia and into southern Delaware.

Southeast

Temperatures were generally above normal across much of the region, with departures of 2–4°F above normal. Exceptions included coastal areas of the Carolinas and much of Florida, where temperatures were 2–4°F below normal, and southern Florida, where departures reached 4–6°F below normal.

Most of the Southeast was dry, with pockets of above-normal precipitation limited to the Florida Panhandle and areas from central Alabama into central Georgia. Severe drought expanded across northeast Georgia, western South Carolina, and western North Carolina, with severe drought newly introduced into central North Carolina. Moderate drought also expanded in both North and South Carolina.

In Florida, severe drought expanded in the southwest and northeast portions of the state, while moderate drought grew to encompass all of south Florida. Alabama saw expansion of moderate and severe drought across central and southern areas, with abnormally dry conditions increasing along the coast.

South

Nearly the entire region was dry, with only isolated precipitation observed in Mississippi and southwest Tennessee. Temperatures were above normal across most areas, with portions of the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles running more than 12°F above normal.

Drought conditions deteriorated across every state in the region. Moderate drought expanded across northern and southern Mississippi. Central and eastern Tennessee saw expansion of moderate and severe drought, while moderate drought increased in western Tennessee. Moderate and severe drought expanded across much of Louisiana and southern and western Arkansas. Severe drought expanded in northeast and northwest Arkansas and into northeast Oklahoma. Severe and extreme drought spread from southwest into central Oklahoma, while moderate drought continued to fill in across eastern Oklahoma.

Across Texas, moderate drought and abnormally dry conditions expanded over much of the Panhandle, while moderate and severe drought grew across east Texas and coastal southeast Texas. Drought conditions continued to intensify in far south Texas.

Midwest

Temperatures were cooler than normal across northern areas and near to above normal farther south. Western Iowa and southwest Minnesota experienced temperatures 9–12°F above normal. Most of the region was dry, though above-normal precipitation occurred in northern and eastern Minnesota, central Wisconsin, and both the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan.

Despite localized precipitation, a generally warm and dry winter has allowed drought to continue developing. Abnormally dry conditions expanded across southern Kentucky and along the Indiana border, with a new pocket of moderate drought in southeastern Kentucky. Abnormally dry conditions spread across southern Indiana, while severe and extreme drought expanded in central portions of the state.

Slight improvements to moderate drought and abnormally dry conditions were noted in southwest Michigan. Moderate drought and abnormally dry conditions improved over northwest Illinois, eastern Iowa, and southern Wisconsin. However, drought worsened across central and southern Illinois, where moderate and severe drought expanded. Moderate and severe drought also expanded across much of southern Missouri, while abnormally dry conditions increased over northwest Missouri and into southwest Iowa. Portions of east-central Minnesota saw improvement due to a wet start to January.

High Plains

Warmer-than-normal temperatures dominated the region, with departures exceeding 15°F above normal across parts of western Nebraska, western Kansas, northeast Colorado, Wyoming, and southeast Montana. Precipitation was minimal, with the greatest totals confined to northeastern North Dakota.

The continued warm and dry winter has resulted in some areas experiencing their driest start to winter on record. Abnormally dry conditions expanded across southern Nebraska and northeast Kansas, as well as southeast Kansas, where moderate drought also increased. Moderate and severe drought expanded across southeast Wyoming, western Nebraska, northeast Colorado, and southeast Colorado.

West

The largest positive temperature departures occurred in the West, with areas from central Montana into western Wyoming and northwest Colorado experiencing temperatures more than 15°F above normal. These warm conditions pushed snow to higher elevations and increased rainfall at lower elevations. While many areas received above-normal precipitation, snowpack remains critically low, and significant snow drought persists across numerous mountain ranges, including the Cascades, Oregon’s Blue Mountains, Idaho’s Bitterroot Range, and the central Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

It was a wet week for much of the region, with nearly all of California recording above-normal precipitation, along with much of Nevada and western Arizona. Above-normal precipitation also occurred across eastern Washington and Oregon, Idaho, western Utah, and Montana. Severe and extreme drought improved across northern Montana, with additional improvement to moderate drought in the southwest part of the state.

Continued wet conditions led to improvements in moderate and severe drought across Nevada, Arizona, eastern Oregon and Washington, and the Idaho Panhandle. Abnormally dry conditions expanded across northeast New Mexico, while extreme and exceptional drought expanded across central Colorado. Extreme drought was removed from southwest Wyoming, and moderate drought improved across western Wyoming. In Washington, abnormally dry conditions were adjusted to reflect recent precipitation while also accounting for persistent snow drought in the Cascades.

Caribbean

For Puerto Rico, abnormally dry conditions were improved this week in the areas that received the most rain and the indicators improved.

This week, precipitation in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) was light to moderate and intermittent, which is typical of the dry season. Data from coastal and island weather stations on Saint Thomas and Saint John show moderate drought conditions, with occasional light rain or passing showers. Similarly, on St. Croix, most stations recorded less than 1.5 inches of rainfall over the week, and the island remained in abnormally dry conditions.

St. Croix experienced moderate rainfall, with locally measurable totals. This week, rainfall totals were reported for VI-SC-10 (Christiansted 1.6 E), VI-SC-20 (Frederiksted 1.7 ESE), VI-SC-23 (Christiansted 6.5 W), VI-SC-30 (Christiansted 1.7 SW), VI-SC-34 (Frederiksted 1.9 NE), and VI-SC-35 (Frederiksted 1.3 ENE), ranging from 0.13 to 1.34 inches. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) values for East Hill and Christiansted Hamilton showed short-term abnormally dry conditions. The water level depth at Adventure 28 Well (St. Croix, USVI) is 18.98 ft on January 6, 2026, an increase from last week, indicating that St. Croix remains in abnormally dry conditions.

On St. Thomas, the recorded rainfall totals at VI-ST-13 (Charlotte Amalie, 1.2 NNW) and VI-ST-15 (Charlotte Amalie West, 1.3 N) were 0.66 inches and 0.13 inches, respectively. On January 6, 2026, the depth of the water level in the Grade School 3 well in St. Thomas was reported to be 7.5 feet below the land surface, indicating moderate drought conditions. Similarly, St. John recorded minimal rainfall, with only 0.05 inches reported at VI-SJ-5 (Cruz Bay 1.6 E). As of 6 January 2026, the depth to water level at the Susannaberg DPW 3 well (St. John, USVI) is 11.69 ft below land surface, which has continued to increase since mid-October 2025, keeping St. John in moderate drought conditions.

Pacific

In Alaska, the precipitation for this week was adequate enough that no changes were needed.

In Hawaii, severe and extreme drought improved on the southeast portion of the Big Island.

This week, most regions of the Marshall Islands experienced little to no rainfall as the dry season began. Ailinglapalap, Jaluit, and Mili reported no precipitation. Wotje, Kwajalein, Majuro, and Utirik recorded rainfall amounts of 0.08, 0.05, 0.03, and 0.02 inches, respectively. As a result of earlier wet conditions in December 2025, Ailinglapalap, Jaluit, Majuro, and Mili are classified as drought-free, while Kwajalein, Utirik, and Wotje are experiencing abnormally dry conditions.

The Federated States of Micronesia is currently experiencing fair weather and dry conditions, with only isolated showers occurring in certain areas. Pingelap reported no rainfall, with two days of data missing, and it remains in an abnormally dry condition. In addition, the islands of Kapingamarangi, Nukuoro, Kosrae, Pohnpei, Lukunor, and Chuuk Lagoon recorded rainfall amounts of 1.41, 0.6, 0.28, 0.27, 0.24, and 0.21 inches, respectively. Despite these rainfall amounts, all of these islands remain free of drought due to the prolonged wet conditions over the past few weeks. In contrast, heavy rainfall has been observed on the islands of Yap and Woleai, which recorded 4.35 and 2.68 inches of rain this week, respectively, helping them stay drought-free.

American Samoa experienced wet weather and heavy rainfall this week, with Pago Pago receiving 2.74 inches of rain. Siufaga Ridge recorded 2.07 inches, while Toa Ridge saw 1.57 inches of rainfall this week. As a result, American Samoa remains drought-free.

Palau experienced warm, humid, and rainy weather this week. The Weather Service Office in Airai reported 0.9 inches of rain, while Koror recorded 0.84 inches, although data for five days is missing. The continuous rainfall has helped keep the island free of drought.

This week, the Mariana Islands experienced consistently warm weather, with conditions ranging from mostly sunny to partly cloudy, characteristic of the region's dry season. According to the weekly rainfall report, Guam received 0.14 inches, Rota received 0.44 inches, and Saipan recorded 0.77 inches. Tinian also reported 0.34 inches of rain, although data for five days is still pending. Due to the wet conditions over the past few weeks, the Mariana Islands are currently experiencing drought-free conditions.

Looking Ahead

Over the next five to seven days, the pattern over the continental U.S. appears to be active with many areas showing a strong probability of precipitation. Areas from the Central Plains into the Midwest and Great Lakes areas are anticipated to receive up to an inch of precipitation. Further south, areas from Louisiana northeast into Kentucky are expected to receive the greatest amount of precipitation with several inches expected. From the Pacific Northwest into the Rocky Mountains and Southwest, widespread precipitation is anticipated. The driest areas are expected to be over the northern Great Plains, California, central and southern Texas and from the Carolinas into the Florida peninsula. Temperatures are expected to remain warmer than normal over much of the country. Only the areas along the southern tier of the U.S. will be near to below normal. The warmest departures are expected over the central to northern Plains, with some areas of Montana predicted to be 10-15 °F above normal.

The 6-10 day outlooks show that the likelihood of above-normal temperatures is projected over almost the entire U.S., with the exception of the Southeast and south Texas. The greatest chances of above-normal temperatures are over the West Coast, as well as the northern Plains and northern Rocky Mountains. The best chances of below-normal precipitation are over the Western U.S. and into the southern Plains. Above-normal chances of above-normal precipitation are anticipated over the central to northern Plains, Florida and along the coast of the Carolinas, as well as Alaska and Hawaii.

Crop Progress - State Stories

ARIZONA: This report is for the month of December 2025. By month’s end, 95 percent of Arizona cotton had been harvested, down 4 percentage points from the previous year’s levels. Twenty-two percent of the State’s barley had been planted, of which 19 percent had emerged, up 10 and 9 percentage points, respectively, from the previous year’s levels. Similarly, 25 percent of Arizona’s Durum wheat had been planted, of which 18 percent had emerged, up 16 and 12 percentage points, respectively, from the previous year’s levels. Alfalfa hay harvest continued to take place on about 10 percent of the crop’s acreage throughout the State. Arizona’s alfalfa crop was rated in mostly good to excellent condition, with only 1 percent of the crop rated fair. Pasture and range conditions throughout the State deteriorated when compared to that of the previous report. Forty percent of the State’s pasture and rangeland was rated very poor, 34 percent was rated poor, 18 percent was rated fair, and 8 percent was rated good. Reports from eastern counties have reiterated that grazing conditions continue to deteriorate and that pastures have shown no sign of revegetation. Reporters have also stated that warmer than normal temperatures have allowed the emergence of undesirable spring annuals. Additionally, piñonjuniper woodlands are now showing signs of extreme vegetative distress. Topsoil moisture levels continue to fall as much of the State has been affected by drought. Thirty-four percent of the State is rated very short, 29 percent is rated short, 33 percent is rated adequate, and 4 percent is rated surplus. Subsoil moisture levels followed a similar trend. Throughout the month of December, measurable precipitation was experienced across northwestern and southeastern areas of the State while southwestern and northeastern areas remained relatively dry. According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Hualapai and Galiuro Mountains received the most precipitation, accumulating approximately 3.00 inches while other areas of the State received anywhere from trace amounts to 2.50 inches of total precipitation. The drought information statements for south-central, southwest, and southeast Arizona remained in effect and were updated on December 22, 2025, in response to enduring drought conditions. The seasonal mean temperature and total precipitation outlooks for January, February, and March 2026 were issued by the National Weather Service on December 18, 2025. The seasonal mean temperature outlook continues to show that temperatures will likely be above normal for the entirety of the State, with the eastern three-quarters of Arizona having a higher probability of experiencing warmer temperatures than the remaining quarter of the State. Similarly, the seasonal total precipitation outlook continues to show that precipitation will likely be below normal for the entirety of the State, with southeastern regions having a higher probability of experiencing below average precipitation than remaining areas of the State. Arizona’s seasonal drought outlook was updated on December 31, 2025. The outlook now shows that conditions are expected to persist throughout all areas of the State that were affected by moderate drought (D1) or higher on December 30, 2025. Drought development is not expected across remaining areas of the State. Streamflow conditions throughout Arizona for the month of December were rated from low to above normal. Streamflow conditions suffered the most in the Upper San Pedro, Upper Little Colorado, Upper Gila, and Lower Colorado River Basins. As of December 30, 2025, the U.S. Drought Monitor showed an improvement in conditions when compared to that of the report dated November 18, 2025. Abnormally dry conditions (D0) bounded 21 percent of the State, moderate drought (D1) enveloped 40 percent, severe drought (D2) encompassed 28 percent, and extreme drought (D3) spanned 1 percent of the State’s total land area. Arizona remained free of exceptional (D4) drought. Throughout the month of December, temperatures were at or above normal according to the High Plains Regional Climate Center (HPRCC). Daytime highs throughout Arizona ranged from 4 to 14 degrees above normal and ranged from the low 40’s in northern Apache County to the high 70’s across southwestern regions of the State. Overnight lows ranged from 2 degrees below to 10 degrees above normal and ranged from 15 to 40 degrees across northern and eastern counties, whereas counties within the Sonoran Desert experienced lows of 45 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. 

IDAHO: The average temperatures for December were above normal for the State. Snowpack levels were below normal in southern and western Idaho. Precipitation was frequent, but it was mostly in the form of rain. However, the ground dried quickly. Cattle were being fed in higher elevations while those at lower elevations were still able to graze. Heavy rains in late December with warm soil temperatures allowed the topsoil moisture to improve. Early calving operations were preparing for the calving season. Lambing operations also prepared for spring lambs. Hay stocks were holding well with an adequate supply due to warmer than normal temperatures helping livestock maintain with less feed. 

MONTANA: This report for Montana is for the entire month of December 2025. Topsoil moisture 25% very short, 36% short, 38% adequate, 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture 26% very short, 39% short, 34% adequate, 1% surplus. Winter wheat condition 18% poor, 56% fair, 26% good. Winter wheat – wind damage was 20% none, 49% light, 24% moderate, 7% severe. Winter wheat – freeze and drought damage 50% none, 49% light, 1% moderate. Winter wheat - protectiveness of snow cover 87% very poor, 9% poor, 4% fair. Pasture and range condition 17% very poor, 36% poor, 34% fair, 13% good. Livestock grazing accessibility 68% open, 18% difficult, 14% closed. Cattle receiving supplemental feed 86% fed. Sheep receiving supplemental feed 87% fed. December precipitation was average to above average, depending on location, while average temperatures were well above normal. Survey comments noted that temperatures in some counties bounced from well below to well above freezing. In other areas, the lack of snow cover and thick ice resulted in some livestock injuries, as well as overall difficulty for ranchers to navigate pastures to deliver feed. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor published for December 30, roughly 48 percent of the State was drought free, compared with just over 5 percent December 31, 2024. Other drought categories included abnormally dry (D0) at 27 percent, moderate drought (D1) at 15 percent, severe drought (D2) at 8 percent, and extreme drought (D3) at 2 percent. 

NEVADA: Days suitable for fieldwork 7.0. Topsoil moisture 5% very short, 5% short, 80% adequate, and 10% surplus. Subsoil moisture 5% very short, 20% short, 70% adequate, and 5% surplus. Pasture and range condition 5% very poor, 30% poor, 40% fair, 15% good, and 10% excellent. Temperatures across the State of Nevada were extremely warm for December, with many areas recording their warmest December in history. The State experienced unseasonably dry weather during the first few weeks, with storms approaching by month’s end. Significant rain events occurred towards the end of the month. Alfalfa fields were dormant. Winter annual grasses were green. 

OREGON: Temperatures were above normal throughout the State. Snowpack was below normal throughout the State. Rainfall was average to above average throughout the State. Due to above normal rain and warmer temperatures that delayed the ground freezing, winter grains, grass seed and pastures accelerated growth. In western Oregon, heavy rains and winds caused extensive flooding of low-lying pastures, hayfields and cropland. There were several landslides and downed trees reported. In north central Oregon, winter wheat emerged in most fields. There was no snow cover until late December, and the crops grew a lot. Winter wheat was in good condition. Livestock health was good, and forage was adequate. 

UTAH: This report for Utah is for the entire month of December 2025. Topsoil moisture 34% short, 27% adequate, 39% surplus. Subsoil moisture 34% short, 66% adequate. Pasture and range condition 50% fair, 50% good. Winter wheat condition 10% fair, 90% good. Hay and roughage supplies 10% s1ort, 90% adequate. Stock water supplies 20% short, 70% adequate, 10% surplus. Cattle and calves condition 68% good, 32% excellent. Sheep and lambs condition 10% fair, 90% good. Livestock receiving supplemental feed for cattle 55%. Livestock receiving supplemental feed for sheep 50%. Cows calved 1%. As of January 5, 2026, snowpack in Utah was 86 percent measured as percent of median snowfall. Cache County reports noted more snow was received in the mountains during December compared to lower elevations. Beaver, Cache, and Grand Counties noted conditions were mild, warm, and abnormally dry during December with limited winter moisture received. Cache County reports no snowpack with receiving potential cold freeze have impact on fall planted grains. 

WASHINGTON: In Washington, there was a lot of rain, but snow was limited. Flooding was reported in several areas of the State. Snowpack levels were below normal in most of the State except for the eastern part which was average. Crop conditions looked good with the rain. Temperatures were above normal with only a few days of freezing temperatures. There were no major cold spells. 

WYOMING: This report for Wyoming is for the entire month of December 2025. Topsoil moisture 43% very short, 12% short, 31% adequate, 14% surplus. Subsoil moisture 44% very short, 17% short, 25% adequate, 14% surplus. Winter wheat condition 12% very poor, 29% poor, 49% fair, 9% good, 1% excellent. Livestock condition 1% poor, 13% fair, 80% good, 6% excellent. Pasture and range condition 1% very poor, 25% poor, 43% fair, 26% good, 5% excellent. Hay and roughage supplies 1% short, 86% adequate, 13% surplus. Stock water supplies 2% very short, 17% short, 68% adequate, 13% surplus. December precipitation varied from well below to well above average, depending on location, while average temperatures were well above normal. Survey comments noted extreme dryness across several counties. High winds coupled with a lack of snow cover negatively affected topsoil. Other comments noted above average snow and rain, with mild temperatures. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor published for December 30, roughly 31 percent of the State was drought free, compared with no drought free areas on December 31, 2024. Other drought categories included abnormally dry (D0) at 32 percent, moderate drought (D1) at 21 percent, severe drought (D2) at 12 percent, and extreme drought (D3) at 3 percent.