DROUGHT INDICATORS - JULY 1999
June precipitation was close to normal over much of New Mexico. Areas that were drier than normal included eastern portions of the Southern Desert (climate division 8), to the far western portion of the West Central Mountains (division 4), and the northern portion of the Northeast Plains (division 3).
As of the end of June, the 1999 precipitation for New Mexico was generally below normal
west of a line from Dulce to Albuquerque, to Ruidoso, to about 50 miles west of Carlsbad.
The greatest anomalies remain over the Southwest, in climate division 8.
Palmer Index related to drought status:
| Climate Division | Weekly PDSI (7/10/99) | June | May | Status |
| 1 | -2.1 | -2.3 | -1.8 | Alert |
| 2 | +1.7 | +1.4 | -0.7 | Normal |
| 3 | +3.0 | +3.4 | +3.5 | Normal |
| 4 | -0.1 | -2.3 | -2.5 | Warning |
| 5 | +1.0 | -1.0 | -1.6 | Advisory |
| 6 | +0.9 | -0.6 | -2.0 | Alert |
| 7 | +1.5 | +0.9 | +0.5 | Normal |
| 8 | -1.4 | -2.5 | -2.8 | Warning |
Comments
By the end of June, division 1 (Northwest Plateau) had worsened from advisory to alert. According to the drought monitoring group's definitions, division 4 (West Central Mountains) had worsened from alert to warning. Division 8 (Southern Desert) remained in a warning status.
The first three weeks of July have brought rain to many areas of the state. Long term effects are still unknown, however, the short-term (weekly) Palmer Drought Severity Index continues to show improvement. Even though recent rains have come into the area, not enough data is available to determine if conditions have improved. A more meaningful assessment should be possible by mid-August.
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) reported five counties in Southwestern New Mexico (Luna, Hidalgo, Grant, Catron, and Sierra) have asked for federal assistance because of drought conditions. Should these counties be approved for assistance, all contiguous counties will be eligible for assistance also. FSA is currently looking at the state's chile crop to determine if assistance will be needed.
The Weekly Ag Update is reporting livestock to be in mostly good condition. Crop conditions are mostly if fair to good condition. Soil moisture percentages were reported as mostly adequate with the exception of the exception of the Southwest part of New Mexico which was reported as mostly very short and short.