Two weeks after all of Otero County, and portions of neighboring counties, moved in to exceptional drought conditions, a series of storms moved part of the impacted area back into extreme drought.

While all of Otero moved into exceptional conditions two weeks ago, the worst drought category receded from the southern two-thirds of the county this week, along with all be the northwest corner of Bent County, the southeast corner of Pueblo County, and parts of northern Las Animas County.

Exceptional drought also receded from portions of Huerfano, Costilla and western Las Animas counties as rain fell in the region. The area contains the ongoing Spring Creek Fire and associated burn scar. While drought conditions improved, the rains produced flooding as water flowed freely across the burned area.

Conditions in Kiowa County span the full range of drought categories, from abnormally dry in the northeast corner and along the north central county line with Cheyenne County, to exceptional drought in the southwest corner. Most of the eastern half and remaining northern tier of the county is in moderate drought, while the remainder of the southeast is in extreme conditions.

In western Colorado, severe drought resumed its expansion to cover the eastern Rio Blanco and Garfield counties, and moved into new portions of Routt, Eagle and Summit counties.

Overall, little change has been noted in drought category statistics. Eighteen percent of the state is drought-free, while six percent is abnormally dry. Moderate drought impacts 16 percent of the state, while 21 percent is in severe conditions. Extreme drought covers 30 percent of the state, up three percent, while exceptional drought was down three percent to 10 percent of the state.

One year ago, 60 percent of Colorado was drought-free, while 40 percent was abnormally dry.

Drought categories include (ranked from least to most severe) abnormally dry, moderate, severe, extreme and exceptional drought.