Drought in Eastern Lincoln County, New Mexico

Severe drought conditions from August 2022 improved in September with moderate drought conditions across the area.

The very active monsoon pattern over the past couple of months showed no signs of slowing during the month of September which contributed to the continued improvement in New Mexico drought conditions. The pattern during the month of September favored the highest precipitation totals over western and northern New Mexico which saw the greatest drought improvement this time. Eastern New Mexico remained relatively drier, and as such, saw little to no change in drought conditions in this area. Precipitation totals across western and central New Mexico were generally around 1 to 2 inches during the month while totals less than one inch were more common across the east. About 31 percent of the state was in at least severe drought. About 7 percent of that was in extreme drought with no exceptional drought in the state since the beginning of 2022.