Fluke storm saves September from drought

Normally, it is early September when monsoon moisture diminishes in Los Alamos.
And, as a rule of thumb, 2 inches of precipitation can be expected during September, splitting the difference between 3 inches during each of July and August and 1 inch during every other month.
This year, however, the monsoon ended with the closing of August.
A normally moist September threatened to go into the books as unusually dry until a tropical storm kicked moisture to the north on Sept. 22.
This moisture teamed up with a well-timed pressure trough from the west to dump rain across New Mexico last Wednesday.
Aside from that day of drenching, there was almost no rain during the month in Los Alamos County.  Precipitation events on the Sept. 8 and the Sept. 14 were consistent with a continuing monsoon pattern, but were barely enough to moisten the ground.
Thanks to the fluke event of Sept. 22, the month’s precipitation total was 1.32 inches in Los Alamos, two-thirds of the normal 2 inches. All but 0.04 inches came during that storm. In White Rock, the total was 0.78 inches, a little over half the normal 1.52 inches there. The annual total in Los Alamos is right on track with 15.5 inches thus far. White Rock remains an inch ahead of schedule at nearly 12 inches.

If you subscribe to the newspaper, you receive FREE access to all the exclusive content of the web site! Simply register to receive uninterrupted access to our award-winning and in-depth local online content!

Renew Current or Past Subscription / Register for Online Subscription

If you currently subscribe or have subscribed in the past to the Los Alamos Monitor, then simply find your account number on your mailing label and enter it below.

Click the question mark below to see where your account ID appears on your mailing label.

Newspaper Acct. ID:
Street Address:	(exactly as it appears on the label)

If you are a subscriber and you do not know your account ID or don't have a copy of your newspaper available that shows the information on the address label you can click continue below to search for your account.

New Subscription/30 Day Free Trial Account

If you are new to the award winning Los Alamos Monitor and wish to get a subscription or simply gain access to our online content then please enter your ZIP code below and continue to setup your account.

ZIP Code:

Create a limited access account.
Register to participate in community forums, post on the community calendar, blog etc. This registration does not give you full access to read our award winning content, etc.

The Los Alamos Monitor | lacirculation@lamonitor.com | 505-662-4185
256 DP Road, Los Alamos, NM 87544
Office Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday