Temperature

Temperatures since the water year began on October 1 on average have been between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit in the southwest deserts of Arizona, 45 to 55 degrees F in southeastern Arizona and southern New Mexico, and 35 to 50 across most of central and northern New Mexico and the Colorado Plateau (Figure 1a). Average temperatures in the highest elevations of both Arizona and New Mexico have been between 30 and 40 degrees F, and temperatures across the two states have been largely between 1 and 3 degrees F warmer than average (Figure 1b). There has, however, been spatial variability, with some pockets seeing more than 4 degrees F warmer-than-average temperatures and other areas experiencing cooler-than-average temperatures.

Temperatures during the past 30 days generally have been 0 to 2 degrees F cooler than average across most of Arizona (Figures 1c–d). Western New Mexico has been up to 4 degrees F colder than average, while eastern New Mexico has been 2 to 4 degrees warmer than average. December was extremely warm, but two very cold winter storms moved through Arizona and western New Mexico during the latter half of the month. These storms brought record cold temperatures to many locations in both states. Temperatures in northwestern New Mexico were up to 6 degrees colder than average.