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Note: The Southwest Climate Outlook is published monthly by the Climate Assessment for the Southwest Project at the University of Arizona. This work is funded, in part, by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the Technology Research Initiative Fund of the University of Arizona Water Sustainability Program.
The Southwest Climate Outlook contains official and non-official forecasts, as well as other information. While we make every effort to verify this information, understand that we do not warrant the accuracy of any of these materials. Links to outside agencies or products do not constitute endorsement. Read full disclaimer
The Southwest Climate Outlook is jointly published each month by the Climate Assessment for the Southwest project and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension.
Mike Crimmins, Extension Agent
Gregg Garfin, CLIMAS Program Manager
Shoshana Mayden, Editor
Kristen Nelson, Assistant Editor
Rick Brandt, Graduate Research Assistant
Melanie Lenart, Research Associate
Forecasts and Outlooks > Archive
Southwest Climate Outlook - February 2005
Date issued: February 22, 2005
A. Summary
The February 2005 outlook is also available in a single, downloadable, printer-friendly file. [February 2005 PDF, 2.8 MB]
Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. |
Hydrological Drought – Hydrological drought has eased in much of the Southwest.
• Portions of Arizona and New Mexico have been removed from drought status.
• Many reservoirs have held steady or increased due to recent precipitation.
Precipitation – Above-average precipitation fell across Arizona and New Mexico over the past 30 days. Snowpack is also above average in many regional river basins.
Temperature – Temperatures have been above average over the past 30 days and throughout the current water year.
Climate Forecasts – Long-lead forecasts indicate increased chances of warmer-than-average conditions in Arizona and New Mexico through August. Increased chances of above-average precipitation are predicted through May.
El Niño – A weak El Niño continues in the tropical Pacific Ocean. Forecasts call for a greater likelihood of neutral conditions from mid-summer to early 2006.
The Bottom Line – Drought conditions are expected to improve in the coming months, although large reservoir levels will remain low.
Groundwater levels
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A study by the Tucson U.S. Geological Survey reports that groundwater withdrawal in the Southwest fell by 17 percent from 1975 to 2000 (Arizona Daily Star, January 27). Decreases occurred in Arizona (28 percent), California (23 percent), and New Mexico (2 percent), while Utah and Nevada increased groundwater withdrawal by 30 and 13 percent, respectively. Researchers attribute much of the decrease to fewer farms, since agriculture tends to use more water than households and industry. Agriculture still used the most water in the region in 2000, about 80 percent (down from 94 percent in 1950). Domestic water use increased from 5 percent in 1950 to 16 percent in 2000, and industrial use increased from 1 to 4 percent over the same period, according to the study.