DROUGHT INDICATORS - FEBRUARY 2000
Winter precipitation remains well below normal over nearly all of New Mexico. The October-January (water year so far) precipitation is among the lowest on record for all areas of the state except the northeast (mainly division 3).
Drought indices continue to show drying everywhere in New Mexico. By February 5, 2000, the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) had dropped to below zero in every climate division. The index is now lower that -1.0 in every division except division 5 (Central Valley), and has fallen to -2.0 or lower in divisions 4, 6, 7, and 8.
For the first four months of the water year, Farmington, Las Vegas, Animas, and Los Alamos, have recorded the lowest precipitation totals on record. Chama, Hobbs, Albuquerque, Red River, and Deming have gone on record for having one of the five lowest precipitation totals on record.
Palmer Index related to drought status:
| Climate Division | Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb5 | Status |
| 1 | +2.0 | -0.4 | -1.2 | -1.7 | -1.7 | Advisory |
| 2 | +2.2. | +1.7 | +0.6 | -0.7 | -1.3 | Normal but dry |
| 3 | +1.3 | +0.9 | +0.3 | -0.7 | -1.3 | Norma but dry |
| 4 | +0.1 | -0.2 | -0.5 | -1.2 | -2.1 | Advisory |
| 5 | +1.8 | +1.4 | +0.9 | +0.1 | -0.7 | Normal but dry |
| 6 | -0.8 | -0.9 | -1.2 | -1.7 | -2.1 | Alert |
| 7 | -2.1 | -2.0 | -1.8 | -1.8 | -2.0 | Warning |
| 8 | +0.4 | +0.8 | +0.1 | -1.1 | -2.1 | Advisory |
Forecast: The Climate Prediction Center continues to forecast a likelihood of
below normal precipitation and above normal temperatures for the remainder of the winter
and
spring. The La Nina helping to produce the dry winter shows no signs of diminishing
through spring.
Comments
The Natural Resources Conservation Service is reporting snow water equivalents from its SNOTEL sites to be well below average. The San Francisco, Gila, and Mimbres River basins range from 1 to 8 percent of average, while the remainder of the state is less than 40 percent of average with the exception of the Cimarron River Basin which is at 63 percent of average. From last months report, conditions have deteriorated by about 20 percent.
The US Forest Service is also reporting abnormally dry conditions. Fire danger is mostly rated as high in most areas of the state. The Energy Release Components (ERC Charts) measures moisture in live and dead fuels, along with soil moisture. Moisture in ten hour fuels and 1,000 hour fuels range from 5 - 10 percent. Moisture levels less than 13 percent is considered dangerous.
The Farm Service Agency is still accepting applications for the Livestock Assistance Program. The Bureau of Land Management will be sending letters to their permitees asking them to monitor their range conditions and begin preparing for dry conditions.
Reservoir levels statewide remain in good condition at this time. Farmers can expect their full allotment of irrigation water this year.