Audio Clip Drought Worsens Across The Southwest

Drought conditions across the Southwest have gotten significantly worse over the last few weeks.

Take a look at the newest update of the U.S. Drought Monitor map, and you’ll see orange and red smears all across the Southwest showing where the drought is impacting the country the most.

New Mexico's largest city, Albuquerque, hasn’t had a drop of rain for 40 straight days. Chuck Jones is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

“If we can make it through Saturday,” Jones said, “we will set a record for the most consecutive days during the winter season without any precipitation at all. “

Nearly half of New Mexico is in severe or extreme drought, up from about a third of the state a week ago.

Meanwhile, 90 percent of the state of California is now in severe to extreme drought, while 80 percent of Nevada is facing extreme to severe drought conditions.

KUNM News Intern Natalia Jácquez contributed to this report.