A. Summary
	B. Recent Conditions
	C. Forecasts
	D. Forecast Verification

Diagnosing 2007 U.S. precipitation extremes (PDF, 200KB)

More Information:

	Subscribe
	Glossary
	Feature Article Archive
	Related Links
	Disclaimer

During the last month, drought intensity increased across southern and eastern New Mexico. See Figure 5 for more details.

Forecasts and Outlooks:
Southwest Climate Outlook - April 2008

Date issued: April 23, 2008

B. Recent Conditions

Temperature

Warmer temperatures have brought an earlier-than-normal snowmelt to the Southwest and may enhance the fire season.

Figure 1. Recent Temperature Conditions

Precipitation

Heavy precipitation in early winter has been nearly balanced out by much drier-than-average conditions in February and March.

Figure 2. Recent Precipitation Conditions

Drought

During the last month, drought intensity increased across southern and eastern New Mexico. Short-term drought status in Arizona has continued to improve, with normal conditions statewide except for southeastern Arizona.

Figure 3. U.S. Drought Monitor

Figure 4. Arizona Drought Status

Figure 5. New Mexico Drought Status

Water Supply

In Arizona, storage is well-above average in the Salt-Verde reservoir system, while Colorado River reservoirs are at their seasonal low. Statewide storage in New Mexico decreased during the last month. Snowpack observations in both states are slightly to significantly lower than those reported one month ago.

Figure 6. Arizona Reservoir Levels

Figure 7. New Mexico Reservoir Level

Figure 8. Southwest Snowpack