Drought — Lower Chama River Valley, New Mexico

2014-05-01 to 2014-05-31 · Lower Chama River Valley, New Mexico

Wider weather episode

Exceptional drought conditions (D4) eased somewhat across far eastern New Mexico during May 2014, thanks to a wet pattern that developed late in the month. Elsewhere, little change to the drought status was observed though most areas received near to above normal precipitation that provided some short-term relief. Specifically, a pair of weak disturbances managed to bring light precipitation to the north on the 6th and 7th. A stronger storm blasted through the state on the 11th with high winds and much cooler temperatures. A reinforcing shot of chilly air quickly followed on the 12th into the 13th. Accumulating snow fell in the northern mountains with late season freezing temperatures on the morning of the 13th and 14th. An abrupt change then occurred as a storm to our west stalled and allowed Gulf of Mexico moisture to stream northwest into the state. Showers and thunderstorms erupted on the afternoon of the 21st across the far eastern plains, then expanded west on the 22nd and 23rd, and was widespread on the 24th and 25th. Some severe weather and flooding across the eastern plains occurred on the 23rd and 24th. Roswell picked up 4.39 inches of rain during the early morning of the 23rd. The final week of the month was uneventful with a little hail on the 25th across the far eastern plains, and some showers and thunderstorms from the 28th through the 31st, none of which were severe.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 511063. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.