Arizona Drought Status

Dry weather settled over Arizona in the last month, with western areas receiving between 2 and 25 percent of average. The state also was warmer than average, with temperatures as much as 6 degrees F above-average on the Colorado Plateau in northwest Arizona. Despite these conditions, Arizona saw slight improvements in its drought status during the last 30 days, a delayed effect of a wet December  (Figure 4a). Drought, however, is still the norm.

Currently, 93 percent of Arizona is categorized with abnormally dry conditions or a more severe drought category, with severe or extreme drought covering about 37 percent of the state (Figure 4b). Although several impressive early winter storms in late November and early December helped improve short-term drought conditions, longer-term precipitation deficits remain. Much of Arizona, particularly parts of central and southern Arizona, has accumulated precipitation deficits during the past six months of 2 to 4 inches below average. More winter rain and snow will be needed to make substantial improvements in many areas in Arizona. However, with the expectation that a weak to moderate La Niña will continue through the spring, forecasts still suggest drier-than-average conditions.