Figure
2. Recent Precipitation Conditions (up to 10/14/09)
Source: High Plains Regional Climate Center
The 2010 water year, which began Oct. 1, is off to a dry start (Figures 2a–b). Southwestern and south-central Arizona and central New Mexico have received less than 2 percent of average precipitation. In Arizona, only the north rim of the Grand Canyon and the southern border near Douglas have received more than 50 percent of average rainfall. Most of New Mexico has faired better. Southern New Mexico has received 0–50 percent of average precipitation. The northern third of the state, however, has received between 50 and 100 percent, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in north-central New Mexico have received between 100 and 150 percent of average precipitation. The few areas with above-average precipitation benefitted from a strong cold front that moved across Utah, Colorado, and northern New Mexico at the beginning of October.
The past 30 days have been extremely dry across all of Arizona—a continuation of a very dry monsoon (Figures 2c–d). New Mexico, on the other hand, saw more moisture during the summer and the past 30 days. Since mid-September, moisture from the Southwest has flowed across central New Mexico, causing rainfall amounts totaling 100–200 percent of average
Notes: The water year begins on October 1 and ends on September 30 of the following year. As of October 1, 2007 we are in the 2008 water year. The water year is a more hydrologically sound measure of climate and hydrological activity than is the standard calendar year.
Average refers to the arithmetic mean of annual data from 1971–2000. Percent of average precipitation is calculated by taking the ratio of current to average precipitation and multiplying by 100. The continuous color maps (Figures 2a, 2c) are derived by taking measurements at individual meteorological stations and mathematically interpolating (estimating) values between known data points.Interpolation procedures can cause aberrant values in data-sparse regions. The dots in Figures 2b and 2d show data values for individual meteorological stations.
More Information:
For these and other precipitation maps, visit: http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/maps/current/.
For National Climatic Data Center monthly and weekly precipitation and drought reports for Arizona, New Mexico and the Southwest region, visit: http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/monitoring.html.
For a list of Arizona weather stations, visit: http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/summary/climsmaz.html (Western Regional Climate Center).
For a list of New Mexico weather stations, visit: http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/summary/climsmnm.html (Western Regional Climate Center).
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