Drought in San Juan Mountains, New Mexico

February 2015 precipitation was a tale of two halves. The first 10 days of the month were especially dry areawide. Record warmth during the second week took a major toll on the existing and rather meager mountain snowpack. Yet another impressive stretch of record or near record warmth on the 18th through 20th gave way to much colder temperatures and far more active and snowy pattern to close out the month. In fact, Albuquerque and portions of central New Mexico experienced record-breaking snow from late on the 25th through the 28th. Snowpack gains in the central and northern mountains were significant. Only slight improvements in he overall drought status were noted, however, with approximately one-quarter of the state classified in severe drought (D2) or worse. That was down nearly 5 percent from the previous month. Drought in the Four Corners area from Gallup to Shiprock remained the most severe.