Drought indicators

After a very dry autumn in New Mexico, the National Weather service reported a very dry winter as well. For the period October through December, 1999, precipitation was well below normal over the vast majority of New Mexico. The only exception has been a small area of northeast New Mexico. We estimate precipitation has been less than 50 percent of normal over 80 percent of the state during the past three months. Precipitation in some areas has been less than 10 percent of normal during the period.

Drought indices continue to show drying everywhere in New Mexico. By January 8, 2000, the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) had dropped below zero in every division except division 5 (central valley). The weekly index is now lower than -1.0 in divisions 1, 6, and 7.

Climate Division	Oct	Nov	Dec	Jan 8	Status
1	+2.0	-0.4	-1.2	-1.6	Advisory
2	+2.2.	+1.7	+0.6	-0.4	Normal
3	+1.3	+0.9	+0.3	-0.4	Normal
4	+0.1	-0.2	-0.5	-0.7	Normal
5	+1.8	+1.4	+0.9	+0.5	Normal
6	-0.8	-0.9	-1.2	-1.5	Advisory
7	-2.1	-2.0	-1.8	-1.7	Warning
8	+0.4	+0.8	+0.1	-0.6	Normal

The Natural Resources Conservation Service is reporting snow water equivalents from its SNOTEL sites to be 5 to 60 percent of normal statewide. The driest conditions being reported, are on the San Francisco Water Basin in the Gila Wilderness in Southwestern New Mexico. Conditions are reported to be about 60 percent of normal along the Sangre De Cristo mountain range in north central New Mexico. Daytime temperatures at 10,000 feet are climbing to 50 degrees Fahrenheit . The Surface Water Index indicates normal conditions throughout northern New Mexico and severe drought in southwestern New Mexico.

The Army Corp of Engineers is reporting all lake level conditions in New Mexico to be good. Farmers are expected to receive their full irrigation allotment this crop year.
The U.S. Forest Service is reporting dry conditions as well. They feel we are moving into the fire season rapidly with the abundant amount of fire fuel from last year's wet summer.
The Bureau of Land Management is reporting many of their permitees are selling off cattle while prices have improved, in preparation for declining drought conditions.

The USDA Farm Service Agency has received funding for the Livestock Assistance Program. This program provides assistance for livestock producers in nine counties who has suffered a grazing loss greater than 40 percent for at least 3 consecutive months. The deadline to apply for assistance is January 21, 2000. An extension to the deadline has been requested.