STATEWIDE, NEW MEXICO IS ALMOST FIVE INCHES ABOVE NORMAL FOR PRECIPITATION THROUGH THE FIRST TEN MONTHS OF THE YEAR. IN FACT, NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGIST CHUCK JONES SAYS IT’S THE THIRD WETTEST ON RECORD FOR THE STATE DURING THAT PERIOD.
AND THAT HAS ALMOST ELIMINATED THE SHORT TERM DROUGHT. HE SAYS ONLY 6 PERCENT OF THE STATE IN THE FAR WEST AREA THAT HAS ANY DROUGHT STATUS … AND IT’S ONLY CONSIDERED MODERATE DROUGHT STATUS.
BUT JONES SAYS WE NEED TO MAKE UP A LOT OF GROUND TO CUT INTO THE LONG TERM DROUGHT. HE SAYS, ON AVERAGE, RESERVOIRS IN NEW MEXICO ARE ONLY AT 27 PERCENT OF CAPACITY.
