Temperature

Temperatures since the water year began on October 1 are averaging between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit in the southwest deserts and along the Arizona-California border; 50 to 55 degrees F in southeastern Arizona and along the New Mexico-Mexico border; 40 to 50 degrees F in central and northeastern New Mexico; and 30 to 50 degrees F across the Colorado Plateau and the northwestern quarter of New Mexico
(Figure 1a). These temperatures are within 1 degree F of average across the Colorado Plateau and along the Arizona-California border; temperatures in central Arizona and the eastern half of New Mexico generally have been 0–2 degrees F warmer than average. Otero, Eddy, and Roosevelt counties in southeastern New Mexico have been 1–4 degrees F warmer than average, as has Gila County in central Arizona. Temperatures in southwestern New Mexico and central Navajo and Apache counties and northern Mohave County in Arizona have been 0–2 degrees F cooler than average (Figure 1b).

Temperatures during the past 30 days have been slightly cooler than average (0–2 degrees F) across the northern and western counties of both states, and slightly warmer than average in the southern and eastern counties. The coolest areas were across the northern counties (Figures 1c–d). Cooler temperatures are the result of the continuation of the La Niña pattern present this winter that pushed storms north but allowed cold air to spread into the Southwest.