Periodic snows continued throughout the month providing some additional relief from long term drought conditions, except for northwest areas of the state which remained drier. Albuquerque enjoyed a six day wet spell that ended about the 21st which yielded enough rain (1.84 inches) to make the month the 5th wettest March on record. While the increase in snow pack was welcome, amounts were not yet deep enough to provide long term hydrologic drought relief and to significantly reverse the outlook for marginal reservior storage across the state. As the string of wet days ended on the 21st, brief thunderstorms formed with small hail from Albuquerque east to Tucumcari and along the Interstate 25 corridor between Raton and Clayton. At least three separate small storms dumped copious small hall less than one half inch in diameter in narrow swaths across Interstate 25 south of Wagon Mound and near Tecolote southwest of Las Vegas, and also across Interstate 40 just east of Tucumcari. Motorists sped into the icy conditions with numerous accidents the result. A 64 year old female died (indirect) and her 69 year old husband was injuried (indirect) in a roll over wreck south of Wagon Mound. A 66 year old man and his 59 year old wife both died (indirect) near Tucumcari when their vehicle slid off the road and struck a pole.

Drought in LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-03 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-03 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in LINCOLN COUNTY HIGH PLAINS/HONDO VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-03 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-03 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-03 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-03 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in CURRY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-03 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-03 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in NORTHWEST MOUNTAINS INCLUDING JEMEZ, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-03 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-03 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in WESTCENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-03 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-03 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-03 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-03 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-03 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-03 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-03 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-03 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS/UPPER GILA REGION, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-03 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-03 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in DE BACA, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-03 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-03 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in QUAY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-03 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-03 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in CONCHAS LAKE/GUADALUPE, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-03 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-03 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-03 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-03 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS OF CHAVES COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-03 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-03 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in FAR NORTHEAST PLAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-03 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-03 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in HARDING, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-03 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-03 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in ROOSEVELT, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-03 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-03 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in CHAVES COUNTY PLAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-03 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-03 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in CAPITAN/NORTHERN SACRAMENTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-03 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-03 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in CENTRAL HIGH PLAINS/ESTANCIA VALLEY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-03 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-03 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in NORTHWEST PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAR-03 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-03 23:59:00 (MST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.