Fact Check: Utah faces extreme drought, with 80% of the state in severe conditions.

Fact Check: "Utah faces extreme drought, with 80% of the state in severe conditions."

What We Know

Utah has been experiencing significant drought conditions, with reports indicating that approximately 80% of the state is currently affected by moderate to severe drought levels. According to the Utah Drought website, this figure encompasses areas classified as experiencing moderate drought (D1) and severe drought (D2). The U.S. Drought Monitor, which provides weekly updates on drought conditions across the country, corroborates that a substantial portion of Utah is under these classifications, although it does not specify the exact percentage of the state in "extreme" drought (D3) or "exceptional" drought (D4) categories.

The Drought Status Update for the Intermountain West indicates that while drought conditions are severe, the most intense drought levels (D3 and D4) have been reported at lower percentages across the broader region, with extreme drought coverage in the Intermountain West increasing from 20% to 27% recently. However, specific data on Utah alone is not detailed in this update.

Analysis

The claim that "Utah faces extreme drought, with 80% of the state in severe conditions" is partially accurate but requires clarification. The 80% figure pertains to the combined total of areas experiencing moderate to severe drought, not solely extreme drought conditions. The U.S. Drought Monitor categorizes drought severity into five levels, with only a fraction of the state potentially classified under the extreme drought category.

The reliability of the sources is generally high, as they are produced by reputable organizations such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which jointly manage the U.S. Drought Monitor. However, it is important to note that drought conditions can vary significantly across different regions within the state, and local conditions may not reflect statewide averages. The Utah Drought site provides a comprehensive overview of drought conditions but does not break down the specific percentages of extreme drought areas, which is crucial for accurately assessing the claim.

Additionally, the Drought in Utah: more than a water supply issue article emphasizes the long-term implications of drought in Utah, indicating that drought has affected the state for a significant portion of the past 25 years, which adds context to the current situation but does not directly address the claim about the current status.

Conclusion

Needs Research. While it is true that a significant portion of Utah is experiencing drought conditions, the claim that 80% of the state is in "severe" drought needs clarification. The percentage includes areas classified as both moderate and severe drought, and the specific extent of extreme drought conditions is not clearly defined in the available sources. More precise data is needed to accurately assess the severity of drought conditions in Utah.

Fact Check: Utah faces extreme drought, with 80% of the state in severe conditions.