Drought Information Statement for Southern NM/Far West TX Valid June 4, 2026 Issued By: NWS El Paso (Santa Teresa, NM) Contact Information: nws.elpaso@noaa.gov This product will be updated July 7, 2026 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/EPZ/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/?dews_region=132 for regional drought status updates. Moderate (D1) to Severe (D2) drought status affecting Southwest New Mexico. Drought status removed across Far West Texas. Drought conditions will persist for Western New Mexico, but may improve or end across South-Central New Mexico. Above normal precipitation and near normal temperatures expected in June, which may further improve drought conditions this summer. U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for southern New Mexico and far west Texas Drought Intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought) None D3 (Extreme Drought) Portions of the Middle Rio Grande Valley in Central New Mexico D2 (Severe Drought) Portions of Southwest New Mexico including Grant, Sierra, and Hidalgo Counties Gila and Lincoln National Forests D1 (Moderate Drought) Portions of South-Central New Mexico and Far West Texas D0 (Abnormally Dry) Portions of South-Central New Mexico and Far West Texas Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 1-month change map for southern New Mexico and far west Texas 4-Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Portions of Northern and Central New Mexico Drought Improved: El Paso and Hudspeth Counties in Far West Texas No Change: Southwest and South-Central New Mexico Precipitation 30-day precip totals: 0.50-1.00” for desert lowlands. 0.50-1.00” over mountain forests. 90-day precip totals: 0.75-1.25” for desert lowlands. 1.25-2.50” over mountain forests. Near normal May precipitation 100-150% for portions of South Central New Mexico and Far West Texas. Below normal May precipitation 50-75% for Southwest New Mexico. Temperature Near normal May temperatures for Southern New Mexico and Far West Texas. 30-day high temperatures 0-1 degrees below normal May mean average temperature 0.1°F above normal at El Paso International (KELP). Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Gila River running well below normal due to below normal precipitation. Water was released south of Caballo Dam along the Rio Grande on May 29, with river gauges in El Paso responding on June 1. Mimbres River may see sudden increases in June due to thunderstorms. Elephant Butte storage at 9.4% capacity, lower than last month and well below the historical 30-year average. (Texas Water Development Board). Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture is near normal after favorable May and early June precipitation. Outlook points to above normal precipitation in June, which could help the summer growing season. 2026 Rio Grande irrigation season surface water allotment is four inches (4”) per acre. Please refer to the Elephant Butte Irrigation District (EBID) website or your local municipality for more information. Fire Hazard Impacts An early start to the summer monsoon season and thunderstorm rainfall over local forests will reduce the risk of large fire growth in June. Periods of critical fire danger will still be possible, with the primary risk for wildfires being lightning starts. ERCs are near normal in early June due to recent precipitation. Fire risk will remain Moderate over the next couple months with the summer heat and periods of dryness. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Gila River streamflow decreased last month due to below normal precipitation and the end of mountain snowmelt. No sudden rises occurred in May. Water was released along the Rio Grande below Caballo Dam on May 29. Gila River Stages Latest Flood Stage Discharge Gila 0.81 ft 11.00 ft 25 ft³/s Redrock 4.01 ft 20.00 ft 19 ft³/s Virden 4.61 ft 15.00 ft 9 ft³/s Rio Grande Stages Latest Flood Stage Discharge El Paso 4.45 ft 8.50 ft 513 ft³/s Gauge data recorded on 6/4/2026 Image Caption: USGS 7 day Streamflow Status valid June 4, 2026 Agricultural Impacts Image Captions: Left: CPC Calculated Soil Moisture Ranking Percentile valid June 3, 2026 Right: Palmer Drought Severity Index valid May 24-30, 2026 Fire Hazard Impacts Latest TX Burn Ban map available here Latest NM Fire Restrictions available here Image Caption: Significant Wildland Fire Potential Monthly Outlook for June 2026 Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Scattered showers and thunderstorms area wide through the first week of June. Heaviest rains favoring the NM mountains and generally east of the Rio Grande. Monthly forecast is confident in above normal June precipitation, which may help decrease drought conditions. 2026 yearly precipitation totals remain on track to finish near normal to above normal. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. Moderate to Severe Drought is already in place across Southwest New Mexico. Rapid onset drought is not expected. Drought conditions are expected to persist across Southwest New Mexico through the summer season, but may decrease due to additional precipitation. Image Caption: Days 8 to 14 U.S. Hazards Outlook Valid June 12-18 Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage 50-60% chance for above normal precipitation for New Mexico and Far West Texas. Monthly average precipitation for El Paso: 0.73” 33-40% chance of above normal temperatures for Western New Mexico, Equal Chances for Far West Texas. Monthly average high temperature for El Paso: 97.1° Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought conditions are expected to persist across Western New Mexico, but should improve or even end for portions of South-Central New Mexico due to above normal precipitation. No drought status for Far West Texas and El Paso/Las Cruces metro. Above normal June precipitation expected. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook