By Chris Sorensen

Drought conditions increased again across Colorado over the past week, with only the western portion of Moffat County untouched by any category of dryness.

Currently, more than 67 percent of the state is considered abnormally dry – the lowest-level drought category - with an additional 31 percent listed as being in moderate drought.

While the expansion of abnormally dry conditions was minor, moderate drought increased from just under 25 percent of the state last week to current level.

One year ago, slightly over 20 percent of the state was abnormally dry, while the remainder was free from drought conditions.

Most of the western half of Kiowa County is under moderate drought, as is western Bent and Cheyenne Counties. Elsewhere across southeast Colorado, moderate drought covers all of Otero, Huerfano, Pueblo, Lincoln, Elbert and El Paso Counties, and most of Las Animas County. Southeast Baca County has also reached moderate drought.

November temperatures have largely been above average; a trend expected to continue into the coming week for southeast Colorado. Temperatures may even approach 80 Wednesday. Rain or snow is not expected in the immediate future.