ENVIRONMENT
Drought conditions worsen across New Mexico, West
Forecasters predict conditions will improve through November
Record-breaking July temperatures have left nearly 95% of New Mexico in some degree of drought, according to a new from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and 鈥渋solated鈥� monsoon rains failed to provide meaningful relief to water supply challenges across the West.
The outlook, released Thursday, monitored the status of major reservoirs across the Colorado River and Rio Grande basins, noting that many have reached historic lows, including Lake Mead and Lake Powell.
New Mexico鈥檚 Elephant Butte Reservoir remains at 1.4% of its capacity, prompting state officials earlier this month to close the lake鈥檚 main boat ramp due to safety concerns.
Conditions will improve through November, officials said Thursday. While an uptick in monsoon rains will not 鈥渇ully eliminate drought and its impacts,鈥� forecasters predict a 90% chance of a 鈥渧ery strong鈥� event triggered by a strengthening El Ni帽o, potentially creating wetter conditions across the Intermountain West this fall.
NOAA鈥檚 previous outlook in early July about the potential for significant monsoon rains across the region this summer. But the forecast released Thursday noted that New Mexico instead experienced its second-warmest July on record, and the eastern part of the state 鈥渃ontinued to dry out鈥� without receiving any significant precipitation.
The administration鈥檚 shows that 3% of New Mexico is in 鈥渟evere drought,鈥� namely Albuquerque, Santa Fe and parts of the northeastern corner of the state. About one-third of the state, predominantly in northern New Mexico, is suffering from 鈥渆xtreme drought,鈥� the map shows.
The outlook notes that conditions are unlikely to improve over the next two weeks, with all but the northern and western edges of New Mexico facing 100% probabilities of above-average temperatures.
