More warm, dry weather triggers drought concerns

San Juan County had record warm temperatures in the month of April as a warm and dry water year moved from winter into spring.
Monticello set an all time record high temperature for the month of April when it reached 79 degrees on April 23. The prior high temperature for April was 78 on April 27, 2000.
In addition, Blanding had record high temperatures four days in a row between April 21 and 24. The 87-degree reading on April 23 is seven degrees higher than the previous record.
For the month, the average high temperature was eight degrees higher than normal in Blanding.
The warm temperatures helped bring an early thaw to the mountain snow pack. Runoff to area reservoirs has already peaked.
May and June are generally the driest months of the year in San Juan County, signaling concern to irrigators, stockmen, and municipal water systems.
Area reservoirs are at approximately 50 percent of capacity as the runoff begins to taper down. Water conservation measures are being stressed by officials who are concerned about the continuation of drought conditions.