Drought in Far Northwest Highlands, New Mexico

Extreme to exceptional drought conditions from June 2021 improved in July with severe to extreme drought conditions across the area.

Drought conditions across northern and central New Mexico continued to improve during the month of July 2021. A very active monsoon pattern led to daily rounds of scattered to widespread showers and thunderstorms across the area. Extreme to exceptional drought conditions improved to about 37 percent of the state with about 9 percent deemed exceptional drought. The most noted drought improvement was across western New Mexico which has been plagued by exceptional drought conditions since September 2020. Numerous days of beneficial thunderstorm activity produced precipitation totals ranging from 3 to 6 inches with locally higher amounts. Eastern New Mexico also continued to see significant drought improvements where 2 to 5 inches of rainfall was common. Most counties across far eastern New Mexico even improved to no drought to abnormally dry conditions. Unfortunately, exceptional drought conditions continued across the Four Corners where precipitation totals were generally less than half an inch.