This summer’s monsoon rains were a welcome relief for those who remember weeks of hot and rain-free weather this time last year. But the monsoon gods don’t share rain blessings evenly according to a new map shared by the National Weather Service’s Albuquerque office.
More than 4 inches of rain were recorded in July in some Foothills neighborhoods and the Sandia Mountains and almost every part of the metro area saw more rain this July than last. Every part of the metro that is except Rio Rancho.
A large part of central and northern New Mexico, including large parts of the Santa Ana and Sandia Pueblos saw little or no measurable rain at all in July NWS data shows.
The uneven rain distribution contributed to one of the worst arroyo flood seasons in recent memory. Five people were washed away in arroyos in recent weeks including three who died in one day marking the deadliest day of arroyo drownings in Albuquerque according to local fire and rescue officials.