Rainfall more widespread

Boosted by a stronger monsoon, rainfall was more widespread during the week ending Aug. 26, benefiting row crops and pasture grasses in some areas, while other locations still needed additional moisture to reverse the prolonged drought conditions, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mountain Regional Field Office, New Mexico. Topsoil moisture levels were reported as 35 percent adequate to surplus, compared with 30 percent last week, 85 percent last year, and a 5-year average of 47 percent. Union County reports noted that the corn and sorghum crops had improved with the recent rainfall, while wheat producers were beginning to seed their fields. Precipitation was recorded at all 46 reporting weather stations, with Quemado, at 1.99 inches, reporting the largest accumulation during the week. Three additional weather stations reported rainfall totals over an inch during the week. Average temperatures ranged from 11 degrees below to 3 degrees above normal. Daytime highs varied from 73 degrees at Los Alamos to 100 degrees at Roswell. Overnight lows ranged from 36 degrees at Angel Fire to 67 degrees at NMSU. Pecan nut set was reported as 60 percent light and 40 percent moderate.