Record low snowpack reported in NM; temps could reach 80s across the state

New Mexicans can expect warm and dry conditions to continue after a winter that has produced record low mountain snowpack and caused abnormally dry to exceptional drought conditions across the state.

Between December and February, the statewide snowpack level was 41% of normal, which is a record low dating back to 1987 when it was 44%, said Jennifer Shoemake, National Weather Service of Albuquerque meteorologist.

“The actual numbers vary by mountain range, but as a whole, for the state, it’s the lowest,” she said.

Across New Mexico, about 1.4 inches of precipitation fell. This is about a half an inch below normal, 1.96 inches. The driest winter recorded was about 0.3 of an inch, set in 2006, Shoemake said.

Not only has it been dry, but temperatures have been well above normal. The average between December and February was 42.7 degrees, about 7 degrees above normal, 35.6 degrees, she said.

In Albuquerque, over the next several days, temperatures are expected to reach the 70s and low 80s, including next Wednesday when it could reach 84 degrees, one degree shy of the record. March's average temperatures are typically in the low 60s, Shoemake said.

Farther south, Roswell could see highs in the upper 80s on Friday and Saturday, according to NWS.

There are no chances for precipitation across many parts of the state — including northern and central New Mexico — for at least the next week, she said.

Shoemake said it will be warm and windy with low relative humidity, ingredients that “will cause a lot of fire weather concerns."

"We've already seen some fires across eastern New Mexico," she said. "As we continue to warm up and dry out, those concerns will expand to central and western New Mexico as well, especially as the drought worsens."

As of March 5, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the state is experiencing at least "abnormally dry conditions" with parts of western New Mexico in an exceptional drought.

“If we continue to not get any precipitation, and we continue to see these well above normal temperatures, the concern is going to be quite high for fire season, especially across eastern New Mexico,” Shoemake said. “Because we saw such a good monsoon out there last year, there (are) a lot of grasses that came up and now they’ve all cured out.

“And so, they’re dead and they’re dry, so basically ready to be ignited. If a fire starts, the fire will spread pretty rapidly.”

Gregory R.C. Hasman is a general assignment reporter and the Road Warrior. He can be reached at ghasman@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3820.