Arizona, 2011Drought in Arizona, October 1 to 31, 2011
October 1 to 31, 2011 · NWS TWC · 12 events in 12 counties and zones
Long term drought conditions continued during October with very little improvement during the month due to very little rainfall.
Every event with a place to put it; 12 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
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- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 12
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
Long term drought conditions continued during October with very little improvement during the month due to very little rainfall.
Drought, Tohono O Odham Nation
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM MST to October 31, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- Tohono O Odham Nation forecast zone
- Reported by
- Other Federal Agency
- Coordinates
- 32.501, -111.567 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Following near normal Monsoon rainfall, dry and warm conditions returned to southern Arizona in October. Most areas received less than 50 percent of October's normal rainfall with a large swath receiving less than 10 percent of normal rainfall. Tucson International Airport received six hundredths of an inch for the month, while the worse drought areas of southeast Cochise County received up to fifteen hundredths of an inch. As a result, only enough precipitation fell to prevent conditions from getting much worse during the month. The lone positive was slight improvement in Greenlee County where D4 (exceptional) drought conditions dropped from 1.67 percent of the state in September to 1.24 percent in October. Local drought impacts were somewhat mitigated as the drought has persisted for several months. However, with the help of irrigation and normal Monsoon rainfall, the fall cotton crop has been reported to be fair to excellent.
Drought, Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM MST to October 31, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys forecast zone
- Reported by
- Other Federal Agency
- Coordinates
- 31.812, -111.318 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Following near normal Monsoon rainfall, dry and warm conditions returned to southern Arizona in October. Most areas received less than 50 percent of October's normal rainfall with a large swath receiving less than 10 percent of normal rainfall. Tucson International Airport received six hundredths of an inch for the month, while the worse drought areas of southeast Cochise County received up to fifteen hundredths of an inch. As a result, only enough precipitation fell to prevent conditions from getting much worse during the month. The lone positive was slight improvement in Greenlee County where D4 (exceptional) drought conditions dropped from 1.67 percent of the state in September to 1.24 percent in October. Local drought impacts were somewhat mitigated as the drought has persisted for several months. However, with the help of irrigation and normal Monsoon rainfall, the fall cotton crop has been reported to be fair to excellent.
Drought, Tucson Metro Area
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM MST to October 31, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- Tucson Metro Area forecast zone
- Reported by
- Other Federal Agency
- Coordinates
- 32.097, -111.790 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Following near normal Monsoon rainfall, dry and warm conditions returned to southern Arizona in October. Most areas received less than 50 percent of October's normal rainfall with a large swath receiving less than 10 percent of normal rainfall. Tucson International Airport received six hundredths of an inch for the month, while the worse drought areas of southeast Cochise County received up to fifteen hundredths of an inch. As a result, only enough precipitation fell to prevent conditions from getting much worse during the month. The lone positive was slight improvement in Greenlee County where D4 (exceptional) drought conditions dropped from 1.67 percent of the state in September to 1.24 percent in October. Local drought impacts were somewhat mitigated as the drought has persisted for several months. However, with the help of irrigation and normal Monsoon rainfall, the fall cotton crop has been reported to be fair to excellent.
Drought, Upper San Pedro River Valley
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM MST to October 31, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- Upper San Pedro River Valley forecast zone
- Reported by
- Other Federal Agency
- Coordinates
- 32.109, -110.569 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Following near normal Monsoon rainfall, dry and warm conditions returned to southern Arizona in October. Most areas received less than 50 percent of October's normal rainfall with a large swath receiving less than 10 percent of normal rainfall. Tucson International Airport received six hundredths of an inch for the month, while the worse drought areas of southeast Cochise County received up to fifteen hundredths of an inch. As a result, only enough precipitation fell to prevent conditions from getting much worse during the month. The lone positive was slight improvement in Greenlee County where D4 (exceptional) drought conditions dropped from 1.67 percent of the state in September to 1.24 percent in October. Local drought impacts were somewhat mitigated as the drought has persisted for several months. However, with the help of irrigation and normal Monsoon rainfall, the fall cotton crop has been reported to be fair to excellent.
Drought, Eastern Cochise County Below 5000 Feet
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM MST to October 31, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- Eastern Cochise County Below 5000 Feet forecast zone
- Reported by
- Other Federal Agency
- Coordinates
- 31.880, -109.751 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Following near normal Monsoon rainfall, dry and warm conditions returned to southern Arizona in October. Most areas received less than 50 percent of October's normal rainfall with a large swath receiving less than 10 percent of normal rainfall. Tucson International Airport received six hundredths of an inch for the month, while the worse drought areas of southeast Cochise County received up to fifteen hundredths of an inch. As a result, only enough precipitation fell to prevent conditions from getting much worse during the month. The lone positive was slight improvement in Greenlee County where D4 (exceptional) drought conditions dropped from 1.67 percent of the state in September to 1.24 percent in October. Local drought impacts were somewhat mitigated as the drought has persisted for several months. However, with the help of irrigation and normal Monsoon rainfall, the fall cotton crop has been reported to be fair to excellent.
Drought, Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM MST to October 31, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys forecast zone
- Reported by
- Other Federal Agency
- Coordinates
- 33.074, -109.563 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Following near normal Monsoon rainfall, dry and warm conditions returned to southern Arizona in October. Most areas received less than 50 percent of October's normal rainfall with a large swath receiving less than 10 percent of normal rainfall. Tucson International Airport received six hundredths of an inch for the month, while the worse drought areas of southeast Cochise County received up to fifteen hundredths of an inch. As a result, only enough precipitation fell to prevent conditions from getting much worse during the month. The lone positive was slight improvement in Greenlee County where D4 (exceptional) drought conditions dropped from 1.67 percent of the state in September to 1.24 percent in October. Local drought impacts were somewhat mitigated as the drought has persisted for several months. However, with the help of irrigation and normal Monsoon rainfall, the fall cotton crop has been reported to be fair to excellent.
Drought, White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM MST to October 31, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties forecast zone
- Reported by
- Other Federal Agency
- Coordinates
- 33.074, -109.563 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Following near normal Monsoon rainfall, dry and warm conditions returned to southern Arizona in October. Most areas received less than 50 percent of October's normal rainfall with a large swath receiving less than 10 percent of normal rainfall. Tucson International Airport received six hundredths of an inch for the month, while the worse drought areas of southeast Cochise County received up to fifteen hundredths of an inch. As a result, only enough precipitation fell to prevent conditions from getting much worse during the month. The lone positive was slight improvement in Greenlee County where D4 (exceptional) drought conditions dropped from 1.67 percent of the state in September to 1.24 percent in October. Local drought impacts were somewhat mitigated as the drought has persisted for several months. However, with the help of irrigation and normal Monsoon rainfall, the fall cotton crop has been reported to be fair to excellent.
Drought, Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM MST to October 31, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains forecast zone
- Reported by
- Other Federal Agency
- Coordinates
- 32.572, -110.328 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Following near normal Monsoon rainfall, dry and warm conditions returned to southern Arizona in October. Most areas received less than 50 percent of October's normal rainfall with a large swath receiving less than 10 percent of normal rainfall. Tucson International Airport received six hundredths of an inch for the month, while the worse drought areas of southeast Cochise County received up to fifteen hundredths of an inch. As a result, only enough precipitation fell to prevent conditions from getting much worse during the month. The lone positive was slight improvement in Greenlee County where D4 (exceptional) drought conditions dropped from 1.67 percent of the state in September to 1.24 percent in October. Local drought impacts were somewhat mitigated as the drought has persisted for several months. However, with the help of irrigation and normal Monsoon rainfall, the fall cotton crop has been reported to be fair to excellent.
Drought, Chiricahua Mountains
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM MST to October 31, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- Chiricahua Mountains forecast zone
- Reported by
- Other Federal Agency
- Coordinates
- 31.880, -109.751 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Following near normal Monsoon rainfall, dry and warm conditions returned to southern Arizona in October. Most areas received less than 50 percent of October's normal rainfall with a large swath receiving less than 10 percent of normal rainfall. Tucson International Airport received six hundredths of an inch for the month, while the worse drought areas of southeast Cochise County received up to fifteen hundredths of an inch. As a result, only enough precipitation fell to prevent conditions from getting much worse during the month. The lone positive was slight improvement in Greenlee County where D4 (exceptional) drought conditions dropped from 1.67 percent of the state in September to 1.24 percent in October. Local drought impacts were somewhat mitigated as the drought has persisted for several months. However, with the help of irrigation and normal Monsoon rainfall, the fall cotton crop has been reported to be fair to excellent.
Drought, Dragoon/Mule/Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM MST to October 31, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- Dragoon/Mule/Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains forecast zone
- Reported by
- Other Federal Agency
- Coordinates
- 31.834, -110.796 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Following near normal Monsoon rainfall, dry and warm conditions returned to southern Arizona in October. Most areas received less than 50 percent of October's normal rainfall with a large swath receiving less than 10 percent of normal rainfall. Tucson International Airport received six hundredths of an inch for the month, while the worse drought areas of southeast Cochise County received up to fifteen hundredths of an inch. As a result, only enough precipitation fell to prevent conditions from getting much worse during the month. The lone positive was slight improvement in Greenlee County where D4 (exceptional) drought conditions dropped from 1.67 percent of the state in September to 1.24 percent in October. Local drought impacts were somewhat mitigated as the drought has persisted for several months. However, with the help of irrigation and normal Monsoon rainfall, the fall cotton crop has been reported to be fair to excellent.
Drought, Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM MST to October 31, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains forecast zone
- Reported by
- Other Federal Agency
- Coordinates
- 32.501, -111.567 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Following near normal Monsoon rainfall, dry and warm conditions returned to southern Arizona in October. Most areas received less than 50 percent of October's normal rainfall with a large swath receiving less than 10 percent of normal rainfall. Tucson International Airport received six hundredths of an inch for the month, while the worse drought areas of southeast Cochise County received up to fifteen hundredths of an inch. As a result, only enough precipitation fell to prevent conditions from getting much worse during the month. The lone positive was slight improvement in Greenlee County where D4 (exceptional) drought conditions dropped from 1.67 percent of the state in September to 1.24 percent in October. Local drought impacts were somewhat mitigated as the drought has persisted for several months. However, with the help of irrigation and normal Monsoon rainfall, the fall cotton crop has been reported to be fair to excellent.
Drought, Baboquivari Mountains
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM MST to October 31, 11:59 PM MST
- Where
- Baboquivari Mountains forecast zone
- Reported by
- Other Federal Agency
- Coordinates
- 32.097, -111.790 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Following near normal Monsoon rainfall, dry and warm conditions returned to southern Arizona in October. Most areas received less than 50 percent of October's normal rainfall with a large swath receiving less than 10 percent of normal rainfall. Tucson International Airport received six hundredths of an inch for the month, while the worse drought areas of southeast Cochise County received up to fifteen hundredths of an inch. As a result, only enough precipitation fell to prevent conditions from getting much worse during the month. The lone positive was slight improvement in Greenlee County where D4 (exceptional) drought conditions dropped from 1.67 percent of the state in September to 1.24 percent in October. Local drought impacts were somewhat mitigated as the drought has persisted for several months. However, with the help of irrigation and normal Monsoon rainfall, the fall cotton crop has been reported to be fair to excellent.
- Drought
- A drought reaching severe (D2) or worse on the US Drought Monitor, or with notable impacts.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
- Drought in Texas, October 1 to 31, 2011$100 million · 24 events
- Drought in Texas, October 1 to 31, 2011$623,000 · 46 events
- Drought in Oklahoma, October 1 to 31, 201148 events
- Drought in New Mexico, October 1 to 31, 201136 events
- Drought in Texas, October 1 to 31, 201133 events
- Drought in Georgia, October 1 to 31, 201126 events
- Drought in Oklahoma, October 1 to 31, 201125 events
- Drought in Texas, October 1 to 31, 201124 events
- Drought in Kansas, October 1 to 31, 201123 events
- Drought in Alabama, October 1 to 31, 201121 events
- Drought in Texas, October 1 to 31, 201121 events
- Drought in Arkansas, October 1 to 31, 201119 events
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 351971, 352123, 352124, 352125, 352126, 352127, 352128, 352129, 352130, 352131, 352132, 352133.