More than half of Utah is now in severe drought, but it is far from the only Western state experiencing dry conditions, as drought conditions worsen across the region. About 52% of the Beehive State is now in severe drought, while the rest remains in moderate drought, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported on Thursday. … Meanwhile, 86% of the West is at least “abnormally dry,” including nearly two-thirds of the region that is also in some form of drought. The figure is based on conditions across Utah, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. Only eastern pockets of Colorado, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming remain out of any category, along with a section of Northern California. While Utah remains the only state entirely consumed by drought, more serious categories have formed in other parts of the West. About 12% of the region is in extreme or exceptional drought. 

Other drought news:

• Progressive Farmer: Blog: Study finds that drought can add 2 days to heat wave duration