Drought — Southern Desert, New Mexico

2011-08-01 to 2011-08-31 · Southern Desert, New Mexico

Event narrative

All of Dona Ana County was in Exceptional(D4) drought except for the far southeast corner which was mainly in Extreme(D3) drought to start the month. At the end of the month, all the areas that were in Exceptional drought were in Extreme(D3) drought with the extreme southeast corner of the county in Severe(D2) drought. The cooperative observer at New Mexico State University received 1.38 inches of rain in August which brought the yearly total up to 3.82 inches. The normal yearly precipitation through August is around 6 inches.

Wider weather episode

Some monsoon moisture gave a reprieve to the ongoing drought conditions, but just about all areas of Southern New Mexico remained at least in Extreme(D3) drought.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 331984. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.