A very active weather pattern continued through October 2022 with several widespread rainfall events leading to near-record wet conditions in some areas for the month of October. Significant improvements continued for drought across the state, especially northern, central, and western NM. Widespread precipitation totals between two and five inches occurred across the southern half of the state with many areas across the northern half averaging one-half inch to one inch for the month. These totals were on the order of 200 to 400 percent of normal. By months end, only 21 percent of the state was in severe to exceptional drought, of which about 7 percent was extreme drought.

Drought in JOHNSON AND BARTLETT MESAS INCLUDING RATON PASS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions from September 2022 continued through October.

Drought in FAR NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe to extreme drought conditions from September 2022 continued through October.

Drought in NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions from September 2022 improved to moderate drought through October.

Drought in CURRY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions from September 2022 deteriorated to severe to extreme drought through October.

Drought in ROOSEVELT COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions from September 2022 continued through October.

Drought in CHAVES COUNTY PLAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe to extreme drought conditions from September 2022 continued through October.

Drought in EAST SLOPES SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe to extreme drought conditions from September 2022 improved to moderate to severe drought through October.

Drought in UNION COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe to extreme drought conditions from September 2022 continued through October. A very small area of exceptional drought between Clayton and Sedan persisted into October.

Drought in GUADALUPE COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Moderate to severe drought conditions from September 2022 improved to moderate and abnormally dry through October.

Drought in NORTHWEST PLATEAU, NEW MEXICO
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Moderate to severe drought conditions from September 2022 improved slightly around the Four Corners through October.

Drought in EASTERN SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions from September 2022 improved to moderate drought through October.

Drought in QUAY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions from September 2022 improved to moderate to severe drought through October.

Drought in HARDING COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe to extreme drought conditions from September 2022 continued through October.

Drought in NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Moderate to severe drought conditions persisted across the area through October 2022.

Drought in GLORIETA MESA INCLUDING GLORIETA PASS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions from September 2022 improved to moderate drought through October.

Drought in SANTA FE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions from September 2022 improved to moderate drought through October.

Drought in MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY/ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions from September 2022 persisted through October over the northern half of the metro area while improving to moderate drought across the southern half.

Drought in SANDIA/MANZANO MOUNTAINS INCLUDING EDGEWOOD, NEW MEXICO
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions from September 2022 improved to moderate drought through October. Soil moisture significantly improved across the region in the wake of widespread rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches in October. An NWS Employee near Sedillo noted moist soil conditions at least 8 inches deep while digging new holes for garden bulbs. Numerous Pinon pine trees have also perished in the Sandia/Manzano Mountains and nearby high terrain from Edgewood south to Manzano due to prolonged drought conditions.