First frosts of the season reported (New Mexico)

Measurable moisture was widespread for a second week, and average temperatures fell below normal in most locations for the week ending Oct. 14 as the number of days suitable for fieldwork dropped to 4.4, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mountain Regional Field Office, New Mexico. Overall, conditions rated abnormally dry or worse were entrenched across 98.6 percent of the state, down 1 percent from last week. Topsoil moisture levels were reported as 66 percent adequate to surplus, compared with 58 percent last week, 80 percent last year, and a 5-year average of 52 percent. The first frosts of the season were noted in a few other northern counties during the week. Although the corn harvest was slowed, the above average moisture in Union County was expected to benefit the recently sown winter wheat crop. Cooler temperatures in Lea County negatively impacted the peanut harvest and left the cotton in need of additional heat units to fully mature the crop. Precipitation was recorded at 44 of the 46 reporting weather stations, with Pasamonte, at 1.67 inches, reporting the largest accumulation during the week. Daytime highs varied from 51 degrees at Navajo Whiskey Creek to 83 degrees at Carlsbad. Overnight lows ranged from 19 degrees at Capulin and Raton to 47 degrees at Carlsbad. Pecan nut set was reported as 20 percent light, 65 percent moderate, and 15 percent heavy.