A dry month of April made drought conditions worse across Southwest New Mexico. By the end of the month all areas were in at least severe drought conditions.

Drought in EASTERN BLACK RANGE FOOTHILLS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-12 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The entire zone was in Severe(D2) drought through the month. The COOP observer at Hillsboro received 0.00 inches of rain during the month which is 0.32 inches below normal.

Drought in CENTRAL TULAROSA BASIN, NEW MEXICO
From 01-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-12 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The far Northern portion of the zone was in Severe(D2) through the month of April. Elsewhere across the zone, conditions worsened from Moderate(D1) to Severe(D2) drought. The White Sands National Monument COOP station reported 0.00 inches of rain which was 0.30 inches below normal.

Drought in EAST SLOPES SACRAMENTO MOUNTAINS BELOW 7500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 01-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-12 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The extreme southern portion of the zone was in Exceptional(D4) drought through the month. The remainder of the zone was in Extreme(D3) drought through the month.

Drought in LOWLANDS OF THE BOOTHEEL, NEW MEXICO
From 01-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-12 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The southeast portion of the zone was in Severe(D2) drought through the month. The northwest portion of the zone transitioned from Moderate(D1) to Severe(D2) drought on April 24. The Antelope Wells COOP received 0.01 inches of rain during the month which was 0.13 inches below normal.

Drought in OTERO MESA, NEW MEXICO
From 01-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-12 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The far western portion of the zone was in Extreme(D3) drought with the remainder of the zone in Exceptional(D4) drought through the month.

Drought in SACRAMENTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 7500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 01-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-12 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The entire zone was in Extreme(D3) drought through the entire month. The Cooperative Observer in Cloudcroft reported 0.25 inches of rain which was 0.60 inches below normal for the month.

Drought in SIERRA COUNTY LAKES, NEW MEXICO
From 01-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-12 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The northern half of the zone was in Severe(D2) drought through the entire month. The southern half transitioned from Moderate(D1) to Severe(D2) drought on April 24th. The Truth or Consequences Airport(KTCS) reported only 0.01 inches of rain for the month which was 0.24 inches below normal.

Drought in SOUTHERN GILA FOOTHILLS/MIMBRES VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-12 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The eastern half of the zone was in Severe(D2) drought through the month.  The western half transitioned from Moderate(D1) to Severe(D2) drought on April 24th. The Cooperative Observer in Faywood received no precipitation during the month which was 0.22 inches below normal.

Drought in SOUTHERN TULAROSA BASIN, NEW MEXICO
From 01-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-12 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The eastern half of the zone started in Severe(D2) drought and transitioned to Extreme(D3) drought during the month. The western half of the area started in Moderate(D1) drought and transitioned to Severe(D2) drought on April 24th. The average precipitation for the month at the Cooperative Observer in Orogrande is 0.29 inches and no precipitation was reported.

Drought in SOUTHERN GILA HIGHLANDS/BLACK RANGE, NEW MEXICO
From 01-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-12 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The eastern half of the zone was in Severe(D2) drought for the whole month. The western half transitioned from Moderate(D1) to Severe(D2) drought on April 24th. The Cooperative Observer in White Signal reported 0.08 inches of rain which was 0.25 inches below normal.

Drought in SOUTHWEST DESERT/MIMBRES BASIN, NEW MEXICO
From 01-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-12 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The entire zone remained in Severe(D2) drought through the month of April. The Deming Airport(KDMN) received no precipitation for the month which was 0.18 inches below normal.

Drought in WEST SLOPES SACRAMENTO MOUNTAINS BELOW 7500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 01-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-12 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 April.