Drought in Lower Chama River Valley, New Mexico

October 2013 precipitation was generally below normal with a statewide average of only 40 percent of normal. It was the 29th driest October on record. The wetter locations in October were across the northern mountains where decent snow fell early in the month, and again late in the month as a slow-moving storm system was able to draw moisture into New Mexico from early on the 25th into the 26th, providing widespread rain showers and mountain snow showers. Statewide drought status was virtually unchanged with only slight improvement near the New Mexico-Colorado state line. Approximately 38 percent of the state was classified as severe (D2) drought or worse.