Drought — Southeast Pinal County, Arizona

2020-11-01 to 2020-11-30 · Southeast Pinal County, Arizona

Event narrative

The exceptional drought (D4) category, which began in eastern portions of Pima and Pinal counties and western Graham County in October, expanded across all of Graham and Greenlee counties, northern Cochise and Santa Cruz counties and central Pima County during November. The extreme drought (D3) category, which began in late August and expanded through October, expanded slightly into the Huachuca Mountains, and continued across the rest of southeast Arizona except for western Pima County.

Precipitation totals for the month, which fell in the form of valley rain and mountain snow primarily November 7-9, totaled 0.10 to 1 inch. The 0.15 inch of rain recorded at the Tucson Airport was the only measurable rainfall received during September, October and November, resulting in the 2nd driest autumn on record. November totals across southeast Arizona were 0.5 to 1.5 inches below normal for the month, and were not enough to keep drought conditions from further deteriorating. Soil moisture readings remained below the 5th percentile ranking in most areas, and below the 10th percentile ranking near the New Mexico state line. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained at less than 3 percent of storage capacity throughout the month.

Wider weather episode

The exceptional drought (D4) category, which began in eastern portions of Pima and Pinal counties and western Graham County in October, expanded across all of Graham and Greenlee counties, northern Cochise and Santa Cruz counties and central Pima County during November. The extreme drought (D3) category, which began in late August and expanded through October, expanded slightly into the Huachuca Mountains, and continued across the rest of southeast Arizona except for western Pima County.

Precipitation totals for the month, which fell in the form of valley rain and mountain snow primarily November 7-9, totaled 0.10 to 1 inch. The 0.15 inch of rain recorded at the Tucson Airport was the only measurable rainfall received during September, October and November, resulting in the 2nd driest autumn on record. November totals across southeast Arizona were 0.5 to 1.5 inches below normal for the month, and were not enough to keep drought conditions from further deteriorating. Soil moisture readings remained below the 5th percentile ranking in most areas, and below the 10th percentile ranking near the New Mexico state line. Levels at San Carlos Reservoir remained at less than 3 percent of storage capacity throughout the month.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 926393. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.