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Current U.S. Drought Monitor Conditions for New Mexico

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country. This map shows drought conditions across New Mexico using a five-category system, from Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions to Exceptional Drought (D4). The USDM is a joint effort of the National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA, and NOAA. Learn more.

The following state-specific drought impacts were compiled by the National Drought Mitigation Center. While these impacts are not exhaustive, they can help provide a clearer picture of drought in New Mexico. 

D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Soil moisture is low
  • Fire danger increases
65.3
of NM
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Livestock need supplemental feed and water
  • Burn bans and firework restrictions begin
32.9
of NM
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Pasture yield is limited; producers sell livestock
  • Irrigated crops are stunted; dryland crops are brown
  • Abundance and magnitude of wildfires may increase; fuel mitigation practices are in effect
15.5
of NM
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Livestock are suffering; producers are selling herds; feed costs are high; emergency Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) grazing is authorized; crop yields are low
  • Fire danger is extreme
  • Irrigation allotments decrease
3.8
of NM
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Federal lands begin to close for fire precautions; burn bans increase
  • No surface water is left for agriculture; farmers use private wells
  • Rio Grande and other large rivers are dry
0.2
of NM
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Soil moisture is low
  • Fire danger increases
71.7
of NM
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Livestock need supplemental feed and water
  • Burn bans and firework restrictions begin
37.2
of NM
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Pasture yield is limited; producers sell livestock
  • Irrigated crops are stunted; dryland crops are brown
  • Abundance and magnitude of wildfires may increase; fuel mitigation practices are in effect
15.5
of NM
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Livestock are suffering; producers are selling herds; feed costs are high; emergency Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) grazing is authorized; crop yields are low
  • Fire danger is extreme
  • Irrigation allotments decrease
3.8
of NM
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Federal lands begin to close for fire precautions; burn bans increase
  • No surface water is left for agriculture; farmers use private wells
  • Rio Grande and other large rivers are dry
0.2
of NM
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Soil moisture is low
  • Fire danger increases
76.4
of NM
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Livestock need supplemental feed and water
  • Burn bans and firework restrictions begin
46.6
of NM
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Pasture yield is limited; producers sell livestock
  • Irrigated crops are stunted; dryland crops are brown
  • Abundance and magnitude of wildfires may increase; fuel mitigation practices are in effect
18.1
of NM
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Livestock are suffering; producers are selling herds; feed costs are high; emergency Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) grazing is authorized; crop yields are low
  • Fire danger is extreme
  • Irrigation allotments decrease
3.8
of NM
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Federal lands begin to close for fire precautions; burn bans increase
  • No surface water is left for agriculture; farmers use private wells
  • Rio Grande and other large rivers are dry
0.2
of NM
(D4)
1.1 Million
people in New Mexico are affected by drought
33
counties with USDA disaster designations
32nd
wettest January was in 2023, over the past 129 years
32nd
wettest year to date was in 2023, over the past 129 years

Explore Drought Conditions by City and County

Summary

View up-to-date drought conditions down to the city and county level, including temperature, and precipitation conditions, key drought indicators, outlooks, historical conditions, and water supply, agriculture, and public health maps.

View Conditions by City:
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Drought in New Mexico from 2000–Present

The U.S. Drought Monitor started in 2000. Since 2000, the longest duration of drought (D1–D4) in New Mexico lasted 329 weeks beginning on May 1, 2001, and ending on August 14, 2007. The most intense period of drought occurred the week of January 19, 2021, where D4 affected 54.27% of New Mexico land.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is a national map released every Thursday, showing parts of the U.S. that are in drought. The USDM relies on drought experts to synthesize the best available data and work with local observers to interpret the information. The USDM also incorporates ground truthing and information about how drought is affecting people, via a network of more than 450 observers across the country, including state climatologists, National Weather Service staff, Extension agents, and hydrologists. Learn more.

Time Period (Years): to