Widespread severe to extreme drought conditions at the end of June 2018 improved only slightly through July 2018 despite greater coverage of showers and thunderstorms with locally heavy rainfall. Severe drought conditions held steady at nearly 70 percent of the state, of which around 46 percent was deemed extreme drought or worse. Exceptional drought improved marginally to around 16 percent of New Mexico. The frequency of showers and thunderstorms with heavy rainfall increased dramatically across the state during July, especially around the higher terrain of central New Mexico, the Rio Grande Valley, and highlands of eastern New Mexico. Several strong back door frontal boundaries shifted all the way west to the Continental Divide. The heaviest rainfall in July occurred in the area from near Santa Fe and Las Vegas southward to Albuquerque and Ruidoso where slight improvements were made to drought conditions. Brief minor flooding occurred on a couple river points in the Rio Grande Basin as flash flooding from nearby areas allowed river flows to spike. Several new small wildfire starts occurred in July due to lightning strikes in forested areas that still experienced patchy dry areas and low soil moisture. Stage two fire restrictions and several forest closures across New Mexico in June were slowly lifted through July.

Drought in WEST CENTRAL PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional drought conditions from June continued through July 2018 for areas around Gallup.

Drought in CURRY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme drought conditions from June continued through July 2018 for western Curry County.

Drought in QUAY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme drought conditions from June continued through July 2018 for western Quay County.

Drought in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional drought conditions from June improved to extreme drought through July 2018.

Drought in SAN FRANCISCO RIVER VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme drought conditions from June improved to severe drought through July 2018.

Drought in NORTHWEST PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional drought conditions from June continued through July 2018.

Drought in FAR NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional drought conditions from June continued through July 2018.

Drought in CHUSKA MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional drought conditions from June continued through July 2018.

Drought in NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional drought conditions from June continued through July 2018.

Drought in WEST CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme drought conditions from June continued through July 2018. New Mexico Tribal Lands were re-opened through July 2018 and fire restrictions were dropped to stage one at most locations.

Drought in SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme drought conditions from June improved to severe drought over most of the area through July 2018.

Drought in WEST CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme drought conditions from June improved to severe drought for parts of the area through July 2018. New Mexico Tribal Lands were re-opened through July 2018 and fire restrictions were dropped to stage one at most locations.

Drought in SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional drought conditions from June continued through July 2018. The Carson National Forest was re-opened during July 2018 and fire restrictions were dropped to stage one at most locations.

Drought in JEMEZ MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional drought conditions from June continued through July 2018. The Santa Fe National Forest was re-opened during July 2018 and fire restrictions were dropped to stage one at most locations.

Drought in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional drought conditions from June continued through July 2018. The Carson National Forest was re-opened during July 2018 and fire restrictions were dropped to stage one at most locations.

Drought in WEST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional drought conditions from June continued through July 2018. The Carson National Forest was re-opened during July 2018 and fire restrictions were dropped to stage one at most locations.

Drought in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional drought conditions from June continued through July 2018. The Santa Fe National Forest was re-opened during July 2018 and fire restrictions were dropped to stage one at most locations.

Drought in EAST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional drought conditions from June continued through July 2018 for most of the area. The Carson National Forest was re-opened during July 2018 and fire restrictions were dropped to stage one at most locations. Locations within western San Miguel County saw significant improvement to severe drought through July 2018.

Drought in UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional drought conditions from June continued through July 2018 for most of the area. The Carson National Forest was re-opened during July 2018 and fire restrictions were dropped to stage one at most locations.

Drought in LOWER CHAMA RIVER VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional drought conditions from June continued through July 2018.

Drought in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme drought conditions from June improved to severe drought through July 2018. The Cibola National Forest was re-opened during July 2018 and fire restrictions were dropped in most locations.

Drought in ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme drought conditions from June improved to severe drought through July 2018. New Mexico Tribal Lands were re-opened during July 2018 and most burn bans were lifted.

Drought in LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions from the end of June improved to moderate drought through July 2018. New Mexico Tribal Lands were re-opened during July 2018.

Drought in RATON RIDGE/JOHNSON MESA, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional drought conditions from June improved to extreme drought through July 2018.

Drought in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional drought conditions from June continued for parts of the area through July 2018.

Drought in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional drought conditions from June improved to severe drought through July 2018.

Drought in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme drought conditions from June improved to severe drought through July 2018.

Drought in ESTANCIA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme drought conditions from June improved to severe drought through July 2018.

Drought in HARDING COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme drought conditions from June continued through July 2018 for much of the county.

Drought in EASTERN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme drought conditions from June continued through July 2018.

Drought in GUADALUPE COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme drought conditions from June continued through July 2018 for much of the county.

Drought in ROOSEVELT COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme drought conditions from June continued through July 2018 for much of the county.

Drought in SANTA FE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme drought conditions from June continued through July 2018.

Drought in UPPER TULAROSA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions from June improved to moderate drought through July 2018.

Drought in DE BACA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme drought conditions from June continued through July 2018.

Drought in SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme drought conditions from June improved to severe drought through July 2018.

Drought in CHAVES COUNTY PLAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme drought conditions from June continued through July 2018.

Drought in EASTERN LINCOLN COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme drought conditions from June continued through July 2018.

Drought in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme drought conditions from June improved to severe drought for parts of the area through July 2018.

Drought in SOUTHWEST CHAVES COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-JUL-18 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions from June continued through July 2018.