Federal forecasters say the Southwest is among the areas of the country that are starting the year drier than normal, and that could mean a fifth straight year of drought for New Mexico.
The forecast was released Thursday by the National Water and Climate Center.
It says New Mexico and other states are experiencing prolonged drought, which has focused attention on winter snowpack throughout the region. Snowpack serves as an indicator of how much water can be expected to flow through rivers and streams later in the year.
There were a few storms that produced decent snowfall in the higher northern terrain in December. But forecasters say early-season snowpack is below normal in the mountains of New Mexico.
Hydrologist Cara McCarthy says this is just the first forecast of the season so things could change.
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