Drought in Lower Chama River Valley, New Mexico

Drought severity decreased across many areas of western and central New Mexico courtesy of a robust start to the 2013 monsoon season. Near to well above normal precipitation was observed nearly statewide for the month. The first seven days of July were especially active with 7-day observed rainfall totals exceeding two inches at many locations from southwest to northeast New Mexico. It was the 2nd wettest first seven days of July at the Albuquerque Foothills and Clines Corners since 1992, when official record keeping began. Most central locales received 200-400 percent of normal precipitation for the month. Areas across the east were generally 75 to 100 percent of normal precipitation, while parts of Guadalupe, De Baca and Chaves counties experienced rainfall totals as much as four times greater than average. The far west and southwestern locales experienced precipitation totals that were 75 to 125 percent of average.

The most extreme drought category, Exceptional Drought (D4), was significantly reduced to approximately one-quarter of the state from nearly half in June 2013. The second highest drought category, Extreme Drought (D3), also decreased in areal coverage from 92% at the start of the month to 74% by month's end. The remaining categories were largely unchanged with only a slight decrease in overall coverage.