Some freeze damage to crops reported (New Mexico)

Below average temperatures resulted in hard freezes across the state for the week ending Nov. 18, with snow reported in portions of the north, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mountain Regional Field Office, New Mexico. Overall, conditions rated abnormally dry or worse were entrenched across 92.1 percent of the state, unchanged from last week. Topsoil moisture levels were reported as 69 percent adequate to surplus, compared with 71 percent last week, 56 percent last year, and a 5-year average of 45 percent. Precipitation was recorded at 22 of the 46 reporting weather stations, with Alcalde, at 0.65 inches, reporting the largest accumulation during the week. Average temperatures ranged from 19 degrees below to 2 degrees below normal. Pecan nut set was reported as 6 percent light, 49 percent moderate, and 45 percent heavy. Freeze damage in all crops was reported at 22 percent light, 13 percent moderate, and 5 percent severe.