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Rising temperatures bump up risk of wildfires (PDF, 316 KB)
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Note: This work is published by the Climate Assessment for the Southwest (CLIMAS) project and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension; and is funded by CLIMAS, Institute for the Study of Planet Earth, and the Technology and Research Initiative Fund of the University of Arizona Water Sustainability Program through the SAHRA NSF Science and Technology Center at the University of Arizona.
This packet contains official and non-official forecasts, as well as other information. While we make every effort to verify this information, please understand that we do not warrant the accuracy of any of these materials. The user assumes the entire risk related to the use of this data. CLIMAS, UA Cooperative Extension, SAHRA, and WSP disclaim any and all warranties, whether expressed or implied, including (without limitation) any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. In no event will CLIMAS, UA Cooperative Extention, SAHRA, WSP, or The University of Arizona be liable to you or to any third party for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special or exemplary damages or lost profit resulting from any use or misuse of this data. Read full disclaimer
Ben Crawford, CLIMAS Research Associate
Mike Crimmins, UA Extension Agent
Stephanie Doster, ISPE Information Specialist
Gregg Garfin, CLIMAS Program Manager
Alex McCord, CLIMAS Technical Specialist
Kristen Nelson, ISPE Associate Editor
Melanie Lenart, CLIMAS Research Associate
Forecasts and Outlooks > Archive
Southwest Climate Outlook - April 2006
Date issued: April 26, 2006
A. Summary
Drought – Recent rain and snow brought some short-term relief to the Southwest, but most of the region is in severe or extreme drought.
- The extremely low snowpack in most of the basins in Arizona and New Mexico has led to a streamflow forecast of well below average for 2006.
- Reservoirs have improved since last year, but many remain below average.
Fire Danger – The rain and snow received in mid-March may delay the start of the fire season, but the abundant fine dry fuels still point to a very active fire season.
Temperature – Since the start of the water year on October 1, temperatures over most of the Southwest have been above average.
Precipitation – Almost all of the Southwest has been drier than average since the start of the water year, especially during the last four months.
Climate Forecasts – Forecasts show increased chances of warmer-than-average temperatures through September and equal chances of precipitation through June.
El Niño – Ongoing La Niña conditions are expected to continue over the next three to six months.
The Bottom Line – Drought is likely to persist throughout most of the Southwest following some temporary improvement in Arizona and northwestern New Mexico. Hydrological drought continues to affect some large reservoir levels, and agricultural drought conditions have persisted throughout most of the region.
We need your photos! The Desert Mallow is kicking off our new cover design, but now we need your photos. If you would like to have your favorite image of a wild fire, low water levels at Lake Heron, snow on top of Mt. Lemmon, waterflow in a wash, or some other depiction of climate in the Southwest featured on our cover, please send an email to the address below for consideration. In your email be sure to state that you would like your photo used in the Southwest Climate Outlook, include a detailed caption, and attach your high resolution digital image. Your photo must have been shot in the southwestern United States and should depict some aspect of Southwest climate. Please send no more than one original image per month. Compensation will not be offered for submitted photos, but the photographer’s name will be credited. Send your photos to knelson7@email.arizona.edu |
This month's cover photo
Desert Mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) is a species of flowering plant found in many habitats in the southwestern United States and other areas of North America. It has been known to grow as high as five feet tall, but is typically one to two feet tall. Desert Mallow is extremely drought resistant. Its growing season is from March to June. It is often called “Hierba Muy Mala” in Spanish, because it is highly allergenic. There are more than10 different species of Sphaeralcea in the Southwest with varying flower color and leaf shape. Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
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