Although the San Juans have seen a smattering of monsoon storms this season, the rains have not been as consistent as needed to help pull the western part of Colorado out of drought. … The drought conditions are exacerbated by a dry winter and lower-than-average snowpack. Warmer temperatures in April and May also caused snow to melt earlier than usual. … Similar trends across the West also put water supplies at risk. Combined with April’s lower precipitation levels, less water is likely to flow into the major Colorado River Basin this summer, according to NOAA. … Monsoon season in Colorado goes from June until September, so there is still time for rain to bring some much-needed relief, but late summer storms are unlikely to eradicate the Western Slope’s drought.

Other drought and monsoon news around the West: 

• Arizona Star (Tucson): Tucson monsoon: Rain more ‘miss’ than ‘hit’ so far
• Summit Daily (Colo.): Drought worsens in Colorado as hot, dry, windy weather fuels wildfire behavior — and risk — on Western Slope
• The Fence Post (Greeley, Colo.): Drought worsens in Intermountain West
• The Arizona Republic (Phoenix): For San Carlos gatherers, acorns are like gold. Drought is making them harder to find