TUCSON – Nearly all of the Grand Canyon State is experiencing severe drought.
This is according to the April 5th edition of the U.S. Drought Monitor.
93% of Arizona is in the severe drought category, while 48% of the state is under extreme drought.
Areas in extreme drought include portions of Pima & Cochise Counties, all of Santa Cruz County and a good chunk of central & northeastern Arizona.
Through April 4th, Tucson is running a yearly rainfall deficit of 0.61".
However, that rainfall deficit is 2.41" dating back to early October.
In order to break out of the drought, southern Arizona needs almost 6" rain in one month.
Tucson’s average April rainfall is only 0.31", marking the third driest month of the year historically for the Old Pueblo.
These ominous signs come as Arizona’s wildfire season starts up.
Grass and brush for much of the state are holding only about 3-4% of their normal moisture.