Drought — Chaves County Plains, New Mexico

2024-06-01 to 2024-06-30 · Chaves County Plains, New Mexico

Event narrative

Severe to extreme drought was slightly reduced in coverage across the zone with exceptional drought holding onto a small portion of the zone.

Wider weather episode

Several storm systems crossing the state during the first half of the month followed by a surge of Gulf of Mexico moisture from the east during the latter half of the month, resulted in above to well above average precipitation and resultant 1 to 2 category improvements in drought across most of northern and central New Mexico. Severe to extreme drought generally persisted across southeast New Mexico. Severe drought was introduced to the south central mountains around Ruidoso due to the formation and rapid growth of the South Fork and Salt Fires in the middle of the month. Several instances of flash flooding were also reported throughout the state in the last 10 days of June, including Ruidoso, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, Grants, and the Farmington area.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1180776. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.