2013 Water Year Precipitation 2012 Calendar Year Precipitation
 October 2012 - December 2012
January - December 2012
thumbnail graphic of water year precipitation through December
thumbnail graphic of water year precipitation through November
   

Calendar Year 2012 Precipitation

Precipitation across New Mexico during December 2012 ranged from well below normal in the southeast plains to above normal in the north central mountains and the far northwest. 

Locations with significant December 2012 precipitation included: Chama with 2.36 inches, Eagle Nest with 2.14 inches, both Cloudcroft and Dulce with 1.78 inches, Reserve with 1.37 inches, and Aztec Ruins National Monument with 1.23 inches.

Calendar year 2012 was the warmest year on record and the second driest; only 1956 was drier in New Mexico.  Statewide precipitation was only 60 percent of normal during 2012.

The Northeastern Plains and Southern Desert climate divisions were the driest areas during 2012 at 51 percent of normal precipitation, while the Southwestern Mountains climate division was the least dry at 66 percent of normal precipitation.

The past two calendar years (2011 and 2012) have been the driest and warmest two-year period on record for New Mexico. Weather records go back to 1895. 

Statewide precipitation averages for calendar years since 2001 are as follows:
Year Percent of Normal Year Percent of Normal
2012 60% 2006 116%
2011 73% 2005 103%
2010 104% 2004 117%
2009 86% 2003 70%
2008 99% 2002 88%
2007 105% 2001 83%

Water Year 2012 Precipitation

The first three months of water year 2013 started out much drier than normal for New Mexico.  The mid and lower Rio Grande Valley, as well as the southwest lowlands, were especially dry.

Statewide precipitation was only 45 percent of normal during the first three months of water year 2013.  The Northern Mountains and Northwest Plateau climate divisions had fared the best, but both received just 56 percent of normal precipitation through the end of December 2012.
A tabular summary of the precipitation data is available in pdf format.
Precipitation ranks for a number of periods, are available from NCDC.

 

 

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