Drought — Southern Desert, New Mexico

2011-12-01 to 2011-12-31 · Southern Desert, New Mexico

Event narrative

All of the zone started out in Extreme(D3) drought with the exception of the far southeast where it was Severe(D2). At the end of the month, the entire area was in Severe(D2) drought. The Cooperative Observer at New Mexico State University reported 1.52 inches of rain which was almost an inch above normal.

Wider weather episode

Almost all of Southwest and South-Central New Mexico started the month in Extreme(D3) to Exceptional(D4) drought. By the end of the month, with the exception of the eastern half of Otero County, every other area was downgraded to Moderate(D1) to Severe(D2) drought due to an unusually wet month across Southwest New Mexico.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 356641. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.