A very dry Monsoon Season across the southwest lead to drought conditions worsening across the region.  The month of August started with most areas in Abnormally Dry(D0) drought or Moderate(D1) drought, but by the end of the month, most areas were at least in Severe(D2) drought.

Drought in SOUTHERN GILA HIGHLANDS/BLACK RANGE, NEW MEXICO
From 22-AUG-23 12:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The entire zone started out in Abnormally Dry(D0) drought but on August 22, the western half of the zone was placed in Severe(D2) drought and the east in Moderate(D1) drought. The White Signal Cooperative Observer only recorded 0.25 inches of precipitation which was 2.49 inches below normal.

Drought in SOUTHERN GILA FOOTHILLS/MIMBRES VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 22-AUG-23 12:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The zone started the month in Moderate(D1) drought, but on August 22, the entire zone was placed in Severe(D2) drought.

Drought in SOUTHWEST DESERT/LOWER GILA RIVER VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 22-AUG-23 12:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The entire zone went from Abnormally Dry(D) drought to Severe(D2) drought on August 22nd. The Redrock Cooperative Observer reported 1.93 inches of precipitation which was 0.15 inches below normal after a very dry July.

Drought in LOWLANDS OF THE BOOTHEEL, NEW MEXICO
From 22-AUG-23 12:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The entire zone went from Abnormally Dry(D0) drought to Severe(D2) drought on August 22nd. The Cooperative Observer at Antelope Wells recorded 0.45 inches of precipitation which was 1.84 inches below normal.

Drought in UPLANDS OF THE BOOTHEEL, NEW MEXICO
From 22-AUG-23 12:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The entire zone went from Abnormally Dry(D0) drought to Severe(D2) drought on August 22.

Drought in EASTERN BLACK RANGE FOOTHILLS, NEW MEXICO
From 22-AUG-23 12:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The zone started the month in Moderate(D1) drought and on August 22, was placed in Severe(D2) drought. The Hillsboro Cooperative Observer reported 1.70 inches of precipitation which was 0.71 inches below normal.

Drought in SIERRA COUNTY LAKES, NEW MEXICO
From 22-AUG-23 12:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The month started with Abnormally Dry(D0) drought north and Moderate(D1) drought south.  On August 22, the zone was placed in a mix of Severe(D2) and Moderate(D1) drought. The Truth or Consequences ASOS reported 0.73 inches of precipitation which was 1.03 inches below normal.

Drought in CENTRAL TULAROSA BASIN, NEW MEXICO
From 22-AUG-23 12:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The entire zone started the month in Moderate(D1) drought and was placed in Severe(D2) drought on August 22. The Cooperative Observer at the White Sands National Park reported 1.32 inches of precipitation which was 0.56 inches below normal.

Drought in SOUTHERN TULAROSA BASIN, NEW MEXICO
From 22-AUG-23 12:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The zone started in Moderate(D1) drought and on August 22nd was placed in Severe(D2) drought.

Drought in WEST SLOPES SACRAMENTO MOUNTAINS BELOW 7500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 22-AUG-23 12:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The entire zone went from Moderate(D1) drought to Severe(D2) drought on August 22nd. The Mountain Park Cooperative Observer recorded 4.80 inches of precipitation which was 1.36 inches above normal after 2.73 inches of rain fall August 23-25. July was very dry and 2 to 3 inches below normal.

Drought in SACRAMENTO MOUNTAINS ABOVE 7500 FEET, NEW MEXICO
From 22-AUG-23 12:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The entire zone went from Moderate(D1) drought to Severe(D2) drought on August 22. The Cloudcroft Cooperative Observer reported 5.52 inches of precipitation which was 0.51 inches above normal after 2.31 inches fell on August 23-24. July was very dry as well after being 2 to 3 inches below normal.

Drought in UPPER GILA RIVER VALLEY, NEW MEXICO
From 22-AUG-23 12:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The entire zone went from Abnormally Dry(D0) drought to Severe(D2) drought on August 22. The Cooperative Observer in Cliff reported 1.43 inches of precipitation which was 1.02 inches below normal.