Drought — Southern Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico

2011-12-01 to 2011-12-31 · Southern Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico

Event narrative

The far eastern Sacramento Mountains started out in Exceptional(D4) drought while the remainder of the mountains were in Extreme(D3) drought to start out the month. At the end of the month, the entire area was in Extreme(D3) drought. At total of 3.63 inches of liquid fell at the Cooperative Observer in Cloudcroft during the month. This was 1.40 inches above normal. The yearly precipitation, however, was about 10 inches below 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 356642. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.