Drought conditions improving after winter rain and snow
An aerial view of the Narrows June 12, 2009 in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Arizona.
Photographer: Getty Images
Copyright Getty Images
Posted: 02/22/2013
Drought conditions are improving around our state.
Much of Maricopa County is still in a severe drought, but it's not quite as bad as it was just a month ago.
Even with all our recent wet weather, rain and snow totals are still below normal for the entire season. Phoenix's official rainfall total at Sky Harbor has only been 2.62" since October 1, 2012. That is 1.06" below normal.
Neutral El Nino/La Nina conditions persist so there is still uncertainty in the long-term precipitation forecast.
In order to have any chance at really recharging our reservoir and soil moisture levels, we will still need several more winter storms to move through with lots of moisture before our dry spring hits.
Here's a look at our reservoir levels now for the Salt River and Verde River systems:
Roosevelt - 47% (up 6% from January)
Horse Mesa - 92% (even with January)
Mormon Flat - 97% (up 1% from January)
Steward Mountain - 94% (down 1% from January)
Horseshoe - 50% (up 50% from January)
Bartlett - 74% (up 15% from January)
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