Arizona remains in drought despite recent rain, snow storms
Jan 15, 2018, 8:04 AM | Updated: 1:46 pm
(Flickr/Michael Ocampo)
PHOENIX — Even though it rained in the Phoenix-area and snowed in northern Arizona last week, the state is still in a drought.
According to meteorologist Emily Thorton with the National Weather Service, much of northern and northeastern Arizona is in extreme drought and the rest of the state is in moderate drought.
And while last week’s rain and snowfall helped, Thorton said there is still a ways to go, as precipitation has been well below normal since August.
“We continue to see drought conditions,” she said. “It will take a good bit of precipitation to get back to normal.”
However, Thorton said there could be good news on the horizon: There is a good chance of rain and snow moving into the Arizona-Utah border by the end of the week.
Rain and snow moved through different parts of Arizona on Jan. 9, marking the first official storms of the new year. Phoenix Sky Harbor received 0.21 inches of rain, while some areas up north got up to 14 inches of snow.
“It helps, but we need several good events to get back to normal,” Thorton said.
KTAR News’ John Roller contributed to this report.