Arizona Drought Status

The coverage and intensity of drought conditions across Arizona have changed very little from conditions one month ago, according to the October 18 update of the U.S Drought Monitor (Figure 4a). Some early winter storm activity reinforced by leftover monsoon subtropical moisture brought precipitation to parts of northern Arizona early in the month, but this did little to improve the well-ensconced drought conditions gripping the state. About 69 percent of Arizona is presently under some level of drought, with 42 percent at the severe to exceptional levels (Figure 4b). The driest areas continue to be southeastern Arizona, but drought conditions are worsening in the northwest as precipitation deficits continue to mount. With La Niña present for a second consecutive winter, drought conditions will likely spread and intensify in many regions, particularly in southern portions of both Arizona and New Mexico.