The 2015 monsoon season got off to a quick start with heavy rainfall, floods, flash floods and severe weather in mid and late June, as well as the first two weeks of July. A relatively quiet period ensued for most of the remainder of July. A resurgence of heavy rain returned from very late July through early August. An outbreak of severe weather was the dominate weather story in mid August, and to a lesser extent on September 9th and 23rd. | ||||||
By the numbers: The Albuquerque NWS office issued 53 flash flood warnings between June 15 and September 30.
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The biggest news of the year was probably the good precipitation that finally ended the drought that began in early 2011:
Drought conditions developed across New Mexico in early 2011, with few breaks in the drought through 2012, such that much of the state was gripped in the worst drought episode since the 1950s. Near normal statewide precipitation in 2013 and 2014 did little to improve the drought. Much of the precipitation in 2013 and 2014 fell during the monsoon season, rather than the much more needed winter mountain snowpack.
Finally, New Mexico precipitation in 2015 was above normal for much of the year, and the period January through November was the fifth wettest on record since 1895. As shown in the graph to the right, precipitation in New Mexico was well above average in January, May, July and October, with only two months below average - August and September. These wetter than normal conditions supported a steady reduction in the intensity and coverage of the short term drought. Finally, in early December 2015 New Mexico was drought free! The last time the state was without any drought status was the week of November 23, 2010!
By the numbers: New Mexico went 263 weeks with a portion of the state in moderate or worse drought!
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Source: U.S. Drought Monitor |
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