Very little if any rain fell across Far Southern New Mexico since the beginning of the year which led to extreme to exceptional drought conditions across the area.

Drought in SOUTHERN DESERT, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-11 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

At the beginning of May, the entire area was under Extreme(D3) drought. By the end of the month, the far northeast corner of Dona Ana County was into Exceptional(D4) drought. No precipitation fell in the month of May and the Las Cruces Airport had no received any precipitation since early February.

Drought in SIERRA COUNTY LAKES REGION, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-11 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

All of Sierra County started out in Extreme(D3) drought and by the end of the month, the Exceptional(D4) drought area extended through the eastern half of the county. Only 0.11 inches of precipitation was reported at the Truth or Consequences Airport since October 5th with no precipitation reported in the month of May.

Drought in SOUTHWEST DESERT MIMBRES BASIN, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-11 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Throughout the month of May, the entire area was under Extreme(D3) drought. Only 0.13 inches of rain was reported at the Deming Airport since October 5th with no precipitation falling in the month of May.

Drought in SOUTHWEST DESERT/BOOTHILL, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-11 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Throughout the month of May, the entire area was under Extreme(D3) drought.  No precipitation fell in the month of May and little to no precipitation had fallen since the beginning of the year.

Drought in SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS/LOWER GILA REGION, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-11 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The entire area was under Extreme(D3) drought through the month of May. No precipitation fell in the month of May and only 0.10 inches had fallen since the beginning of the year. The Miller Fire started April 28th and lasted through the month of May until June 7th with nearly 90,000 acres burned. This fire closed the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument for several days.

Drought in TULAROSA BASIN/SOUTHERN DESERT, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-11 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

At the beginning of May, the entire area was under Extreme(D3) drought. By the end of the month, all areas except the far southwest corner of Otero County was into Exceptional(D4) drought. No precipitation fell in the month of May and only 0.06 inches of rain had fallen since October 22nd at the Alamogordo Airport.

Drought in SOUTHERN SACRAMENTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-11 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

At the beginning of May, the western areas of the Sacramento Mountains were under Extreme(D3) drought with the eastern slopes in Exceptional(D4) drought. By the end of the month, the entire area was in Exceptional(D4) drought. No precipitation fell in the month of May and the region had received little or no precipitation since early February. The Mayhill Fire occurred from May 9-May 28 and scorched nearly 32,000 acres of land. The Lincoln National Forest was closed May 12th to all visitors and was not opened until middle July.