Wettest May On Record Puts Major Dent In SE Colorado Drought

DENVER (CBS4) - What a difference a year can make when it comes to drought.

During May 2014 much of southeast Colorado was in extreme to exceptional drought with the most severe conditions in portions of the Arkansas River Valley.

Drought conditions across Colorado on May 20, 2014. (credit: US Drought Monitor)

But after the wettest May on record in that area with over a week to go conditions are improving, especially in some of the agricultural areas between La Junta and Lamar.

While the drought is not over, the latest map released by the U.S. Drought Monitor on Thursday showed a much different picture compared to a year ago.

Drought conditions across Colorado on May 19, 2015. (credit: US Drought Monitor)

Meanwhile conditions on Colorado's western slope have declined with moderate to severe drought expanding in coverage over the past year.

Meteorologist Chris Spears writes about stories related to weather and climate in Colorado. Check out his bio or follow him on Twitter @ChrisCBS4.