Heat in New Mexico, June 20 to 30, 1998

Much of New Mexico was grilled by record heat and nagging dryness during the last 10 days of June. Conditions had been unusually warm and dry throughout the month, but the heat intensified beginning on the 20th with daily high temperatures climbing well above 100 degrees except in mountain communities at elevations above 7500 feet. Readings in the southeast section of the state peaked at 108 to 113 degrees as these locations exceeded 10 consecutive days with daily highs above 100 degrees. New records for duration of 100 plus degree days were set from Carlsbad north to Clovis and Tucumcari. Stations in the east and along the central Rio Grande Valley broke records that had lasted 60 to 70 years. By the end of the month a number of stations in the east had observed 16 to 20 days with a daily high over 100 degrees. This period in late June set the stage for unusually harsh crop and rangeland condition, plus high fire danger that would peak across eastern New Mexico during the following month.