FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) – Drought conditions have returned to Arizona because of precipitation well below normal since August.
A drought monitor released late last week by the National Weather Service shows much of extreme northern Arizona and northeastern Arizona in severe drought and the rest of the state in moderate drought.
The areas shown as having severe drought conditions include most of Apache and Navajo counties, extreme northern Coconino County, eastern Gila County, northern Graham and Greenlee Counties, northeastern Pinal County and areas south of Tucson.
Since October 1st, Tucson has received 0.59" of rainfall, which is 2.25" below normal.
While last week’s storm brought welcome rain and snow to northern AZ, it barely made a dent in the large precipitation deficit over the region since Oct. 1st.
For Flagstaff, the storm only brought us up to around 20% of the normal total from Oct. 1st through Jan. 14th.
#azwx pic.twitter.com/XlO2acWHiQ — NWS Flagstaff (@NWSFlagstaff) January 16, 2018 A 90-day outlook by the weather service’s Flagstaff office says fuel conditions in northern Arizona are near or above historic high levels.