Fact Check: "Utah faces extreme drought with 80% of the state in severe conditions."
What We Know
As of recent reports, approximately 80% of Utah is experiencing some level of drought, with many areas classified under moderate to severe drought conditions. The U.S. Drought Monitor categorizes drought into five levels, with severe drought (D2) being the second most severe classification. According to the Utah Drought website, the state has been facing significant drought conditions, particularly highlighted by the driest January to May period on record since 1895. The U.S. Drought Monitor also indicates that 70.62% of the Intermountain West region, which includes Utah, is under drought conditions (D1-D4) as of March 2025 (Drought Status Update).
Analysis
The claim that "Utah faces extreme drought with 80% of the state in severe conditions" is partially true. While it is accurate that 80% of Utah is experiencing drought, the classification of "severe conditions" is somewhat misleading. The U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that while a significant portion of the state is indeed in drought, not all of it is classified as "severe" (D2). The drought conditions range from abnormally dry (D0) to extreme drought (D3), with the most severe classification (D4) not being reported in Utah at this time (U.S. Drought Monitor).
Furthermore, the Utah Division of Water Resources confirms that while the drought is serious, the specific classification of "severe" applies to only a portion of the affected areas. This means that while the overall drought impact is significant, the statement that "80% of the state is in severe conditions" does not accurately reflect the classifications used by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
The sources used in this analysis are credible, including government and academic institutions that monitor and report on drought conditions. However, it is important to note that the interpretation of drought severity can vary based on local conditions and the specific metrics used to assess drought.
Conclusion
The claim that "Utah faces extreme drought with 80% of the state in severe conditions" is partially true. While it is correct that a large portion of Utah is experiencing drought, not all of this area is classified as being in severe drought conditions. The nuance in drought classification is crucial for understanding the severity of the situation.
