Most areas of Southern New Mexico were close to average for precipitation in December leading to a majority of the area remaining in Extreme(D3) to Exceptional(D4) drought.

Drought in UPPER GILA RIVER VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-DEC-23 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The entire zone remained in Extreme(D3) drought throughout the month.  The Cooperative Observer at Cliff reported 1.27 inches of precipitation which was 0.08 inches below normal.

Drought in SOUTHERN GILA FOOTHILLS/MIMBRES VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-DEC-23 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The western half of the zone remained in Exceptional(D4) drought while the east was in Extreme(D3) drought.

Drought in SOUTHWEST DESERT/LOWER GILA RIVER VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-DEC-23 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme(D3) drought continued over the west while the east remained in Exceptional(D4) drought. The Redrock Cooperative Observer recorded 1.24 inches of precipitation which was 0.15 inches above normal.

Drought in LOWLANDS OF THE BOOTHEEL, NEW MEXICO
From 01-DEC-23 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional(D4) drought continued in the northeast part of the zone with the remainder of the zone in Extreme(D3) drought. The Antelope Wells Cooperative Observer reported 0.40 inches of precipitation which was 0.66 inches below normal.

Drought in UPLANDS OF THE BOOTHEEL, NEW MEXICO
From 01-DEC-23 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme(D3) drought continued through the month of December.

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

Exceptional(D4) drought remained for the central part of the zone while the remainder of the zone was in Extreme(D3) drought. The Deming Airport reported 0.60 inches of precipitation which was 0.06 inches below normal.

Drought in EASTERN BLACK RANGE FOOTHILLS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-DEC-23 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe(D2) drought continued in December for the entire zone.  The Hillsboro Cooperative Observer recorded 0.91 inches of precipitation which was 0.04 inches above normal.

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

The month started with Severe(D2) drought over the west and Extreme(D3) drought east.  By the end of the month, some improvement occurred to Severe(D2) over the east with just the extreme southeastern portion of the zone remaining in Extreme(D3) drought. The Truth or Consequences airport had exactly one inch of rain which was 0.40 inches above normal.

Drought in NORTHERN DONA ANA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-DEC-23 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme(D3) drought persisted across the entire zone in December.

Drought in SOUTHERN DONA ANA COUNTY/MESILLA VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 01-DEC-23 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The entire zone remained in Extreme(D3) drought.  The Cooperative Observer at New Mexico State University recorded 0.37 inches of precipitation which was 0.27 inches below normal.

Drought in WEST SLOPES SACRAMENTO MOUNTAINS BELOW 7500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 01-DEC-23 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme(D3) drought continued through the month for the entire zone. The Mountain Park Cooperative Observer reported 1.55 inches of precipitation which was 0.21 inches above normal.

Drought in SACRAMENTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 7500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 01-DEC-23 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme(D3) drought remained across the entire zone in December.  The Cloudcroft Cooperative Observer reported 1.74 inches of precipitation which was 0.41 inches below normal.

Drought in EAST SLOPES SACRAMENTO MOUNTAINS BELOW 7500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 01-DEC-23 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The entire zone remained in Extreme(D3) drought.  The Elk Cooperative Observer reported just 0.23 inches of precipitation which was 0.47 inches below normal.

Drought in OTERO MESA, NEW MEXICO
From 01-DEC-23 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme(D3) persisted across the entire zone during the month of December.

Drought in CENTRAL GRANT COUNTY/SILVER CITY AREA, NEW MEXICO
From 01-DEC-23 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The entire zone remained in Extreme(D3) drought through the month. The White Signal Cooperative Observer reported 0.89 inches of precipitation which was 0.61 inches below normal.

Drought in SOUTHERN GILA REGION HIGHLANDS/BLACK RANGE, NEW MEXICO
From 01-DEC-23 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The entire zone remained in Extreme(D3) drought through the month of December.

Drought in WEST CENTRAL TULAROSA BASIN/WHITE SANDS, NEW MEXICO
From 01-DEC-23 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The entire zone remained in Extreme(D3) drought during the month of December.  The White Sands National Park Cooperative Observer reported 0.90 inches of precipitation which was 0.16 inches above normal.

Drought in EAST CENTRAL TULAROSA BASIN/ALAMOGORDO, NEW MEXICO
From 01-DEC-23 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The entire zone remained in Extreme(D3) drought for the entire month.

Drought in SOUTHEAST TULAROSA BASIN, NEW MEXICO
From 01-DEC-23 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme(D3) drought continued through the entire month of December.