April Thunderstorm Over the Jemez

Photos such as this are normally reserved for July and August. A combination of Gulf moisture and New Mexico mountains will form afternoon thunderstorms almost every afternoon during the summer months of July and August. To see this activity during the month of April is pretty unusual. While this storm dropped very little rain on the Jemez, I am hoping that this is a good sign. Weather forecasters are saying that the ‘La Nina’ pattern is loosening its grip and is being replaced with ‘El Nino’ which historically means more moisture for the Southwest. Our snow totals for this past winter were not bad, as I calculated about 80% of normal snowfall here in La Cueva. Perhaps, with a return to El Nino conditions, we can get back to average or better moisture in New Mexico and the Jemez Mountains. The seven day forecast is showing an increasing chance of rain towards the end of this week. Maybe we’ll get a drop or two.