YEARLY PRECIPITATION FOR SELECTED CITIES ACROSS NEW MEXICO

Precipitation during the year 2000 was characterized as below normal across most of New Mexico.  Of the 22 cities shown below, only four recorded above normal precipitation.  In the first graphic below, most towns in northwest New Mexico reported below normal precipitation.  The exceptions were Chama and Farmington, which were ever so slightly above normal.  Chama received 21.69 inches of precipitation compared to a normal of 21.65, and Farmington picked up 8.96 inches compared to a normal of 8.75 inches.  Los Alamos was noticeably drier than normal (13.80 inches vs. 18.75) which may have been a blessing in disguise in this fire-ravaged town.  There was high potential for serious flash flooding over the summer months, but only a few cases of minor to moderate flash flooding were reported.

All cities in northeast New Mexico shown below received below normal precipitation during the year 2000.  The driest location compared to normal was Clines Corners, where 14.54 inches of precipitation fell, compared to a normal of 19.22 inches.

Southern New Mexico was generally drier than normal as well.  Only Las Cruces managed above normal precipitation, checking in with 9.85 inches compared to a normal value of 9.43 inches.  Roswell was well below normal, recording only 7.66 inches of precipitation, while normal is 13.78 inches.  Added to the graphic below is Santa Rosa, which was one of the few locations to report significantly above normal precipitation last year. Santa Rosa picked up 17.79 inches of precipitation compared to the normal of 14.48 inches.