Photo Credit: NOAA SANTA FE - March was an anomalously snowy month across nearly all the mountainous regions in New Mexico, leading one NRCS Forecast Hydrologist to describe the month as a “bonanza” for productive winter storms.
Several SNOTEL stations have broken daily Snow Water Equivalent [SWE] records since their installation, mostly west of and along the Continental Divide in the Chuska, and Zuni and Northern Jemez Ranges. These robust statewide increases in both SWE and total precipitation during March continue to paint an optimistic water supply picture for New Mexico’s major river basins for this water year.
Many lower elevation and more southerly survey points still held a considerable amount of snow on April 1st when they would typically be close to or completely snow-free. This remarkable snowfall has substantially improved the outlook for snowmelt translating into observed streamflow during the spring runoff period compared to calculations produced last month.
When compared against April 2022 observations, the snowpack and overall water supply picture are dramatically improved as New Mexico moves into the growing season.
Several SNOTEL stations have broken daily Snow Water Equivalent [SWE] records since their installation, mostly west of and along the Continental Divide in the Chuska, and Zuni and Northern Jemez Ranges. These robust statewide increases in both SWE and total precipitation during March continue to paint an optimistic water supply picture for New Mexico’s major river basins for this water year.
Many lower elevation and more southerly survey points still held a considerable amount of snow on April 1st when they would typically be close to or completely snow-free. This remarkable snowfall has substantially improved the outlook for snowmelt translating into observed streamflow during the spring runoff period compared to calculations produced last month.
When compared against April 2022 observations, the snowpack and overall water supply picture are dramatically improved as New Mexico moves into the growing season.
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