Drought in Lower Chama River Valley, New Mexico

December 2013 was drier than normal for a majority of the northern two-thirds of New Mexico, especially the latter half of the month. However, a series of moist Pacific storm systems delivered much need precipitation to many areas of the state from the 4th through the 6th. Additional storms brought snow to the mountains onto the eastern high plains on the 7th to 8th and 12th to 13th. These areas received near to above normal precipitation while most other locations were below normal for the month. The only other storm this month was on the 20th to 21st, when light to moderate snow fell over northern and central New Mexico. The final ten days of the month were dry with near to below normal temperatures. Severe or worse drought conditions (D2 thru D4) impacted just over one-third of the state (33-36 percent) during the month with modest improvements over the Four Corners and west central mountain region.