Almost all of Southwest and South-Central New Mexico started the month in Extreme(D3) to Exceptional(D4) drought. By the end of the month, with the exception of the eastern half of Otero County, every other area was downgraded to Moderate(D1) to Severe(D2) drought due to an unusually wet month across Southwest New Mexico.

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

The entire zone started out in Extreme(D3) drought and was downgraded to Severe(D2) drought by the end of the month. Rainfall at the Truth or Consequences Airport was 2.85 inches which was 2.40 inches above normal.

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

All of the zone started out in Extreme(D3) drought with the exception of the far southeast where it was Severe(D2). At the end of the month, the entire area was in Severe(D2) drought. The Cooperative Observer at New Mexico State University reported 1.52 inches of rain which was almost an inch above normal.

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

The far eastern Sacramento Mountains started out in Exceptional(D4) drought while the remainder of the mountains were in Extreme(D3) drought to start out the month. At the end of the month, the entire area was in Extreme(D3) drought. At total of 3.63 inches of liquid fell at the Cooperative Observer in Cloudcroft during the month. This was 1.40 inches above normal. The yearly precipitation, however, was about 10 inches below normal.

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

All of Luna County started out in Extreme(D3) drought and ended the month in Severe(D2) drought. The Deming Airport reported 1.87 inches of liquid during the month which was 1.25 inches above normal.

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

The far southwest portion of the zone started out the month in Exceptional(D4) drought while the remainder of the area was in Extreme(D3) drought. At the end of the month, the extreme eastern and western portions of the zone were in Severe(D2) drought and the remainder of the zone was downgraded to Moderate(D1) drought. The Cooperative Observer at Faywood reported 1.98 inches of precipitation for the month which was 1.09 inches above normal.

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

The entire zone started out in Extreme(D3) drought and at the end of the month, the southeast portion of Hidalgo County was in Severe(D2) drought while the remainder of the area was downgraded to Moderate(D1) drought. The Cooperative Observer at Antelope Wells reported 2.50 inches of rain which was 1.48 inches above normal. After starting out the first 6 months of the year with 0.00 inches of rain, Antelope Wells ended the year about 1 inch above normal with 13.37 inches total thanks to a very wet November and December.

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

The zone started out the month with drought conditions ranging from Exceptional(D4) drought across the far southeast portion of Otero County to Severe(D2) across the southwest portion of the zone. At the end of the month, the western half of the zone was in Severe(D2) drought but Exceptional(D4) drought continued across the southeast.
The Cooperative Observer in Orogrande reported 0.94 inches of precipitation for the month which was 0.32 inches above normal.