Drought — Far Northeast Plains, New Mexico

2003-02-01 to 2003-02-28 · Far Northeast Plains, New Mexico

Wider weather episode

Unlike December and January, February was a fairly wet month from much of north and central New Mexico. Periods of snow and rain increased in frequency and intensity for many areas providing some welcome short term relief to high fire danger and raising hopes of getting at least normal levels of spring runoff from the freshening mountain snow packs. Moisture was delivered as unusual widespread rain instead of snow around the 13th as warm temperatures kept the snow elevation generally above 8500 feet. After suffering one of the driest January's on record, Albuquerque reported it's sixth wettest February. The welcome moisture did not overcome the longer term hydrologic drought conditions that continued to grip the state.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5343677. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.