Drought in Far Northwest Highlands, New Mexico

Severe to extreme drought conditions from October 2021 continued in November.

The quieter and drier weather conditions that had characterized much of Fall 2021 continued in November with well below normal amounts of precipitation recorded. Drought conditions worsened again across northern and central New Mexico this month with about 70 percent of the state in at least severe drought conditions with 19 percent categorized as extreme drought. Drought conditions particularly worsened across the eastern plains where severe to extreme drought conditions continued to spread. Precipitation totals were dismal across the area during the month with precipitation totals well below half of one inch. Snowpack values were also very poor with snow depth across the higher terrain well below normal for the start of the season.