Espanola (US), Jul 3 (AP) - The early afternoon brings an assembly of clouds and gusty winds that swirl unpredictably. The skies turn ominous, and with them comes rain—a sudden downpour that vanishes as swiftly as it arrived.
This seasonal spectacle crafted by Mother Nature heralds a significant time for the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is a period when residents clasp their hands in hope for the much-needed moisture to mitigate wildfire threats and ensure the rivers continue flowing.
According to forecasters, this year's monsoon season, which officially commenced on June 15 and extends through the end of September, has started on a wet note. Some areas in New Mexico and West Texas have already been drenched, with Arizona and Nevada experiencing dust storms, a typical hazard during this period.
Unlike other parts of the world where monsoon season often implies relentless rainfall for months, North America's monsoon season offers considerable variability. The rains come in bursts and pauses, influenced by the circulation of moisture and wind direction.
Easing Drought - The monsoon season capitalizes on the buildup of summer heat and shifting wind patterns, drawing moisture from distant waters to parched regions.
Just prior to the monsoon's arrival, the Navajo Nation declared an emergency due to worsening drought conditions across their reservation, which extends over portions of New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah.
A pattern of below-average precipitation has resulted in scant forage for livestock, escalating fire danger as moderate and severe drought conditions expand. Ranchers and farmers are advised to reduce their herds, adopt drought-resistant crops, and limit irrigation.
New Mexico's governor also announced an emergency in May in response to severe drought and the increasing risk of wildfire.
Experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Integrated Drought Information System note that monsoonal rainfall contributes just a fraction to the West's water supply, with the bulk coming from snowpack.
Nevertheless, summer rains can alleviate drought impacts by curbing the demand for water stored in reservoirs, replenishing soil moisture and groundwater, and lowering the wildfire risk.
New Mexico and Arizona stand to benefit most from the North American monsoon, receiving 10 to 60 percent of their annual precipitation during this season. Its impact is less pronounced in Nevada and California, although southern Nevada typically receives 20 to 25 percent of its precipitation in the summer.
At the base of the Jemez Mountains along the Rio Grande, Santa Ana Pueblo farmers are closely monitoring the afternoon skies. Pueblo Governor Myron Armijo noted they've already had several substantial downpours and welcomes more.
However, as Armijo remarked, “It's not up to us.”
Flooding Fears - With summer rains, there are heightened river flows and occasional flooding in typically dry washes and areas scarred by wildfires.
Sandbag stations have been established throughout the region—from Tucson, Arizona, to Albuquerque, and San Antonio, Texas. In Espanola, state transportation authorities closed a historic bridge over the Rio Grande due to concerns about eroding supports from increased flows.
Near the Gila National Forest, the New Mexico National Guard has delivered numerous pallets of filled sandbags to help residents prepare for potential flooding following a fire that burned approximately 74 square miles (192 square kilometers).
Meanwhile, firefighters continue battling a wildfire racing through a mountainous stretch of the Navajo Nation. Flames reportedly advanced six miles (9.66 kilometers) within hours.
Once the fire subsides, land managers acknowledge the monsoon will present a double-edged sword; although rain will quell the blaze, it may trigger surges of runoff laden with ash and debris.
A Tie That Binds - As light and shadow dance over mesa tops beyond artist Daniel McCoy's studio, the Rio Grande ebbs and flows with each downpour, transforming into a frothy caramel hue laden with sediment.
The river, along with the surrounding desert badlands and purple mountain peaks, fuels inspiration for McCoy's large canvases for an upcoming show at the Hecho a Mano gallery in Santa Fe.
McCoy, of Muskogee (Creek) and Potawatomi descent, grew up working with his grandfather on a farm in Oklahoma. He and his green thumb faced new trials upon moving to the arid Southwest, where water scarcity often leads to rationing and calls for rain prayers.
A sign near his studio, written in Spanish, reads: “El Agua No Se Vende. El Agua Se Defiende.” It translates to “Water isn't for sale, and the right to access this finite resource should be defended.”
The regional water woes have instilled a heightened awareness in McCoy. “It's made me mindful more than I ever thought I would be,” he reflected, having heard accounts from locals about water's irreplaceable value.
McCoy feels at home in the Southwest, living by the seasons and diligently tending to his well for potable water.
“When you're outside working, it's a different kind of time. You live more by what the sun's doing and what the water's doing,” he stated. “And so it's good to be connected to that.” (AP) PY PY.
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