Arizona Drought Status

Exceptionally dry weather over the past 30 days caused drought conditions to expand and intensify across much of Arizona, according to the February 15 update of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Overall, 70 percent of Arizona is observing some level of drought, up from 60 percent last month (Figures 4a–b). The biggest shift since last month was seen in the intensification of drought conditions from moderate to severe over southeast Arizona, an area that has experienced very little precipitation in the past 90 days. Severe drought now covers 12 percent of the state; severe drought was not present last month.

Drought impacts from Cochise County reported on Arizona DroughtWatch indicate that streams and ponds are unusually low for this time of year and that production on rangelands has been very limited, both supporting the presence of severe drought conditions. Impact reports from Mohave County also indicate drought conditions are creeping back into the area even after the exceptionally wet fall this area saw. More drought impact reports can be viewed onArizona Drought watch’s webpage at http://www.azdroughtwatch.org.