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Click here for graphic showing U.S. Department of Commerce logo and link to site Climate of 2004 - November
Arizona Drought

National Climatic Data Center, 13 December 2004

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Well above-normal precipitation has occurred across much of the state during the last 3 months. However, long-term precipitation deficits remain.

As noted by the University of Arizona's Institute for the Study of Planet Earth (Richard Brandt):

  • Water was released for 90 hours from Glen Canyon Dam to "stir up" approximately 880,000 tons of sediment that has been deposited since the last such test/release in 1996. Some of the goals were to re-build sand bars, to create new sand bars, to restore habitats for Colorado River wildlife and fish, and too revitalize recreation.
  • Governor Janet Napolitano ordered state agencies and universities to cut water use by 5 percent in an effort to create a "culture of conservation." Also, many locations in the Phoenix area began to recommend voluntary water conservation efforts, some of which involved monetary incentives to residents and businesses.
  • State and federal officials gathered at Grand Canyon at the beginning of November to discuss and make recommendations for water issues in Arizona. A summary of the recommendations can be found at http://www.aztownhall.org/reports.html. The site also has a link to download the entire report from the Town Hall.
Drought-related precipitation information for Arizona stations can be found at the following web site of the Phoenix National Weather Service office:

Statewide Precipitation Ranks
for Arizona , 2003-2004
Period Rank
Nov 6th wettest
(105th driest)
Oct-Nov 5th wettest
(106th driest)
Sep-Nov 6th wettest
(105th driest)
Aug-Nov 11th wettest
(100th driest)
Jul-Nov 13th wettest
( 96th driest)
Jun-Nov 21st wettest
( 90th driest)
May-Nov 27th wettest
( 84th driest)
Apr-Nov 15th wettest
( 96th driest)
Mar-Nov 24th wettest
( 86th driest)
Feb-Nov 20th wettest
( 91st driest)
Jan-Nov 26th wettest
( 85th driest)
Dec-Nov 36th wettest
( 74th driest)
Click here for graphic showing  precipitation departures, January 1998 - present
larger image

Click here for graphic showing  Palmer Z Index, January 1998 - present
larger image

Click here for graphic showing  precipitation, November  1895-2004
larger image
Click here for graphic showing  Palmer Hydrological Drought Index, January 1900 - November  2004
larger image


Graphic showing NOAA logo NCDC / Clim. Monitoring / Climate-2004 / Nov / U.S. Regional Drought / Search / Help

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Last Updated Tuesday, 29-Nov-2005 14:05:09 EST by Richard.Heim@noaa.gov
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