All of Southwest and South Central New Mexico remained in Severe to Exceptional Drought through the month of October. There was some small improvement in conditions across the Gila. Near to slightly below normal rainfall was experienced across the region.

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

The entire zone remained in extreme(D3) drought through the month of October.  The Truth or Consequences Airport received 0.62 inches of rain which was 0.30 inches below normal.

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

The southeastern corner of the zone was in Severe(D2) drought through the month while the remainder of the zone was in Extreme(D3) drought. The official COOP at New Mexico State University received 0.05 inches of rain while the average for October is 0.78 inches.

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

The Southern Sacramento Mountains remained in Exceptional(D4) drought through the entire month of October. The COOP in Cloudcroft received 1.43 inches of rain which was 0.45 inches below normal.

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

The western third of Luna County was in Exceptional(D4) drought through the month while the eastern two-thirds of the county was in Extreme(D3) drought. The Deming Airport received 0.71 inches of rain which was 0.14 inches below normal.

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

The entire zone was in Exceptional(D4) drought through the month. The Antelope Wells COOP received 0.61 inches of rain which was just 0.07 inches below normal.

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

Most of the zone started the month in Exceptional(D4) drought but there was a quick drop off over the extreme southwestern portion of the zone where it went down to Severe(D2) drought. There was some relief as all of the Exceptional(D4) drought area except the far southeast was downgraded to Extreme(D3) drought by the end of the month. The Orogrande COOP reported only 0.13 inches of rain which was 0.80 inches below normal.

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

The western two-thirds of the zone started out in Exceptional(D4) drought and most of the area ended in Extreme(D3) drought. The eastern third of the zone was in Extreme(D3) drought through the entire month. The Gila Hot Springs COOP received 0.85 inches of rain while the average is 1.53 inches.