The widespread severe drought conditions at the end of January worsened over New Mexico through early February as below normal precipitation continued across the state. The wet conditions experienced across central and eastern New Mexico from the monsoon season into late September were a distant memory by February. Several rounds of wind and very low humidity prompted red flag warnings on several days across eastern New Mexico. The weather pattern became more active for northern and western New Mexico by the middle of the month. A few winter storms impacted the higher terrain bringing modest improvements by the end of February. Statewide snowpack rebounded to a paltry 28 percent of median by the end of the month. Severe drought expanded to almost 80 percent of the state and extreme drought conditions were introduced to the northern high terrain. Weather conditions by the end of February 2018 began drying out once again with more critical fire weather. Grass fires were reported around Lincoln County prompting burn bans for the area.

Drought in UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions continued through February over the Upper Rio Grande Valley. A few weak storm systems moved through the area during mid to late February with only light rain and snow amounts.

Drought in HARDING COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions continued through February over Harding County. Dry, mild, and windy weather became increasingly frequent toward the end of the month.

Drought in NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought continued through February over the Northwest Highlands. A few weak weather systems moved across the area by mid to late February with mainly light rain and snow amounts.

Drought in SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions over the San Juan Mountains deteriorated even further to extreme drought on February 13, 2018. A few weak storm systems moved through the area during February with light to moderate rain and snow amounts. This additional precipitation was no match for the well below normal snowpack.

Drought in EAST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions continued through February over the East Slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. A few weak storm systems moved through the area during February with light to moderate rain and snow amounts. This additional precipitation was no match for the well below normal snowpack.

Drought in EASTERN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions continued through February over eastern San Miguel County. Dry, mild, and windy weather became increasingly frequent toward the end of the month.

Drought in WEST CENTRAL PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought continued through February over the West Central Plateau. A few weak weather systems moved across the area by mid to late February and prevented further deterioration of drought conditions.

Drought in QUAY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought continued through February over Quay County. Parts of this area still had not picked up measurable precipitation in nearly five months. Episodes of critical fire weather increased by the end of the month.

Drought in CURRY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought continued through February over Curry County. Parts of this area still had not picked up measurable precipitation in nearly five months. Episodes of critical fire weather increased by the end of the month.

Drought in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions continued through February over the Northeast Highlands. A few weak storm systems moved through the area during mid to late February with only light precipitation amounts.

Drought in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought continued through February over Union County. A couple weak weather systems moved through the area but brought mainly trace amounts of rain and snow. Episodes of critical fire weather increased by the end of the month.

Drought in SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought continued through February over the Southwest Mountains. An area of extreme drought that developed near Luna toward the end of January did not deteriorate further into February as a few weak weather systems moved across the area with mainly light rain and snow amounts. Snowpack in the higher terrain was nearly nonexistent.

Drought in SAN FRANCISCO RIVER VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought continued through February over the San Francisco River Valley. A few weak weather systems moved across the area by mid to late February and prevented further deterioration of drought conditions.

Drought in CHUSKA MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought continued through February over the Chuska Mountains. A few weak weather systems moved across the area by mid to late February with mainly light rain and snow amounts.

Drought in GUADALUPE COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions continued through February over Guadalupe County. Dry, mild, and windy weather became increasingly frequent toward the end of the month.

Drought in JEMEZ MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions over the Jemez Mountains deteriorated even further to extreme drought on February 13, 2018. A few weak storm systems moved through the area during February with light to moderate rain and snow amounts. This additional precipitation was no match for the well below normal snowpack.

Drought in ESTANCIA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions continued through February over the Central Highlands. A few weak storm systems moved through the area during mid to late February with only light precipitation amounts.

Drought in SANTA FE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions continued through February over the Santa Fe Metro Area. A few weak storm systems moved through the area during mid to late February with only light precipitation amounts.

Drought in UPPER TULAROSA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions continued through February over the Upper Tularosa Valley. A couple weak storm systems moved through the area in mid to late February with only light precipitation amounts.

Drought in SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions continued through February over the South Central Highlands. Dry, mild, and windy weather became increasingly frequent toward the end of the month.

Drought in ROOSEVELT COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions continued through February over Roosevelt County. Dry, mild, and windy weather became increasingly frequent toward the end of the month.

Drought in CHAVES COUNTY PLAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions were declared on February 6, 2018 over the Chaves County Plains. A lengthy period of near-zero precipitation that began in early October wiped out the surplus of precipitation from the summer and fall seasons. Dry, mild, and windy weather became increasingly frequent toward the end of February.

Drought in NORTHWEST PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought from late January deteriorated to extreme drought by February 20th over the Northwest Plateau. A few weak weather systems moved across the area by mid to late February with mainly light precipitation amounts.

Drought in FAR NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought continued through February over the Far Northwest Highlands. A few weak weather systems moved across the area by mid to late February with mainly light rain and snow amounts.

Drought in WEST SLOPES OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions over the West Slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains deteriorated even further to extreme drought on February 13, 2018. A few weak storm systems moved through the area during February with light to moderate rain and snow amounts. This additional precipitation was no match for the well below normal snowpack.

Drought in DE BACA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions continued through February over De Baca County. Dry, mild, and windy weather became increasingly frequent toward the end of the month.

Drought in ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions continued through February over the Albuquerque Metro Area. A few weak storm systems moved through the area during mid to late February with only light to moderate precipitation amounts. One event on February 14th and 15th produced 0.44 inches of rainfall at the Albuquerque Sunport, providing only temporary relief to the drought conditions.

Drought in EASTERN LINCOLN COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions were declared on February 6, 2018 over eastern Lincoln County Plains. A lengthy period of near-zero precipitation that began in early October wiped out the surplus of precipitation from the summer and fall seasons. Dry, mild, and windy weather became increasingly frequent toward the end of February. Fire restrictions were put in place for Lincoln County on February 27, 2018 until rescinded.

Drought in NORTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET/RED RIVER, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions over the northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico deteriorated even further to extreme drought on February 13, 2018. A few weak storm systems moved through the area during February with light to moderate rain and snow amounts. This additional precipitation was no match for the well below normal snowpack.

Drought in LOWER CHAMA RIVER VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions continued through February over the Lower Chama River Valley. A few weak storm systems moved through the area during mid to late February with only light rain and snow amounts.

Drought in LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions continued through February over the Lower Rio Grande Valley. A few weak storm systems moved through the area during mid to late February with only light to moderate precipitation amounts.

Drought in RATON RIDGE/JOHNSON MESA, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions continued through February over the Raton Ridge/Johnson Mesa. A few weak storm systems moved through the area during mid to late February with only light precipitation amounts.

Drought in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions continued through February over the Sandia/Manzano Mountains. A few weak storm systems moved through the area during mid to late February with only light rain and snow amounts.

Drought in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions continued through February over the Far Northeast Highlands. A few weak storm systems moved through the area during mid to late February with only light precipitation amounts.

Drought in SOUTHERN SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 9500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions over the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico deteriorated even further to extreme drought on February 13, 2018. A few weak storm systems moved through the area during February with light to moderate rain and snow amounts. This additional precipitation was no match for the well below normal snowpack.

Drought in SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions continued through February over the South Central Mountains. A few storm systems moved through the area in February with light to moderate precipitation amounts. This additional precipitation prevented further deterioration of drought conditions. Snowpack in the higher terrain was still well below normal. Several grass fires were reported around the Capitan area toward the end of the month. Fire restrictions were put in place for Lincoln County on February 27, 2018 until rescinded.

Drought in WEST CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought continued through February over the West Central Mountains. A few weak weather systems moved across the area by mid to late February with mainly light rain and snow amounts.

Drought in WEST CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought continued through February over the West Central Highlands. A few weak weather systems moved across the area by mid to late February with mainly light rain and snow amounts.

Drought in CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-FEB-18 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-18 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions continued through February over the Central Highlands. A few weak storm systems moved through the area during mid to late February with only light precipitation amounts.