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Climate of 2002 - July
Colorado
Drought
National Climatic Data Center, 15 August 2002
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July 2002 ranked as the third driest July, statewide, in the 108-year record for Colorado. The last eight months have been persistently dry, with the deficits of the last 12 months resulting in the driest seasons on record from May-July back to August-July (see table below). As a result,
- the statewide Palmer Hydrological Drought Index rapidly reached record dry levels this month. Although the magnitude of the drought, as measured by the PHDI, reached record levels due largely to the extreme short-term dryness, many droughts in the past have lasted much longer.
- 1,430 wildfires have scorched 381,870 acres through July 31 (according to the National Interagency Fire Center).
- 94% of the state's topsoil was rated as very dry ("short to very short") by the USDA as of July 28.
- 92% of the state's range and pasture lands were reported in poor to very poor condition by the USDA as of July 28.
The drought was accompanied by excessive heat in Colorado. According to the National Weather Service,
- Grand Junction had 18 days this year with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees (F), setting a new 110-year record. The previous record was 17 set in 1994.
- Thirteen of those 100-plus degree days occurred in July, breaking a 101-year reocrd of the most reported in any July.
- On two of those days, July 13th and 14th, the temperature reached 105 degrees, tying the all time record high for Grand Junction.
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NCDC /
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Climate-2002 /
Jul /
U.S. Regional Drought /
Search /
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http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2002/jul/st005dv00pcp200207.html
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Last Updated Thursday, 14-Jul-2005 11:13:10 EDT by Richard.Heim@noaa.gov
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