| Home | About CLIMAS | People | Forecasts | Research & Products | Learn About SW Climate | Publications | Calendar | Links |
In this Section:
 |
A. Summary |
|
|
|
C. Forecasts |
|
D. Forecast Verification |
Will the drought continue? (PDF, 261 KB)
More Information:
|
Most Recent Summary |
|
Subscribe |
|
Glossary |
|
|
|
Related Links |
|
Disclaimer |
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 - March 2005
Date issued: March 22, 2005
A. Summary
Hydrological Drought– Hydrological drought has continued to ease in the Southwest.
• Most of southwestern Arizona and southern New Mexico are now considered free of drought impacts.
• Arizona statewide reservoir storage is above average, while New Mexico statewide average storage is just over half of its average capacity.
Precipitation – Wetter-than-average conditions continue in much of the Southwest. Snowpack remains above average in many regional river basins despite slight decreases in some areas.
Temperature – Water year temperatures are above average. The past 30 days have generally been warmer than average.
Climate Forecasts – The long-lead temperature forecasts call for increased chances of warmer-than-average conditions in Arizona and far western New Mexico through September. Increased chances of above-average precipitation are predicted through June in New Mexico and western Arizona.
El Niño – Models predict that the current weak El Niño will persist through mid to late summer before neutral conditions begin to dominate the tropical Pacific Ocean.
The Bottom Line – Continued improvement is expected in drought conditions through June in the Southwest.
Desert in Bloom
Wildflower lovers can check for updates at: http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/wildupdates.html http://www.desertmuseum.org/programs/flw_blooming.html In early March, golden poppies were in full bloom along Highway 86 near Kitt Peak. Photo by Shoshana Mayden. |
Early forecasts for this year’s crop of wildflowers looked good with some reports that it could be one of the best seasons on record (Tucson Citizen, Feburary 15). So far, dazzling displays of flowers colored the lowland desert of areas such as Death Valley, California, the Pinacate Natural Reserve in Sonora, Mexico, and the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona. Invasive grasses may be winning out over annual flowers in some spots, but peak blooms could continue through late April in other areas.