New Mexico Receives Good Water News
For the first time in 10 months, New Mexico is no longer classified as experiencing “Exceptional Drought,” according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map.
The state has faced a series of environmental challenges this summer, including a major wildfire in June that led to the evacuation of 7,000 residents in Ruidoso. Severe storms have followed, bringing heavy rain and hail, and flooding has been severe enough to strand vehicles on highways.
The recent removal of New Mexico from the “Exceptional Drought” category has garnered significant attention from meteorologists.
“New Mexico is no longer in any ‘Exceptional Drought’ category for the first time since September 2023,” KRQE Chief Meteorologist Grant Tosterud posted on X (formerly Twitter) from Albuquerque. “This also marks the highest percentage of the state not in any drought or abnormal dry category since July 2023.”
Joshua Schroeder, the National Weather Service’s (NWS) science and operations officer, explained to Newsweek that New Mexico’s monsoon season began earlier than usual this year, which has contributed to the excessive rainfall. Typically starting around July 4, the monsoon season began 10 to 14 days ahead of schedule this year. Additionally, burn scars from recent wildfires have heightened the risk of flooding.
As of Friday, much of New Mexico remains under a flood watch due to ongoing concerns about excessive rainfall.
While the heavy rains have increased flood risks, they have also played a role in alleviating the state’s drought conditions. Since September 2023, no part of New Mexico was free from drought, with nearly 7 percent of the state experiencing exceptional drought, the most severe classification.
Currently, more than 17 percent of the state is free from drought, a 4 percent improvement from the previous week. There is no longer any indication of exceptional drought. However, nearly 83 percent of the state remains classified as abnormally dry, with 48 percent experiencing moderate drought, 23 percent facing severe drought, and 9 percent dealing with extreme drought.
The most severe drought conditions are concentrated in southern New Mexico. The areas now free from drought are mostly located within regions currently under the NWS flood watch.
The flood watch is expected to remain in effect at least through Friday evening, covering parts of central, north-central, northeast, and west-central New Mexico.
The NWS alert cautions that rainfall rates could reach 1 to 2 inches per hour, potentially causing rapid runoff and flash flooding.
“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone areas,” the alert states. “Flooding may occur in poorly drained and urban areas.”
New Mexico’s monsoon season is anticipated to continue through mid-September.
