Beginning 2012 El Paso saw dry spring with below average precipitation. This was followed by below average precipitation for our summer monsoon, which is typically the wettest time of the year here. We ended the year once again seeing drier than average conditions. Officially at the airport we received 6.05" for 2012. Average for a year is 9.71"; this means we were 3.66" below average.

This is the 4th year in a row that we have seen below average precipitation. In 2011 we saw a precipitation total of 5.27", for 2010 6.67", with 2009 seeing a total of 8.68". We have to go back all the way to 2008 to find a year with above average precipitation, with that year seeing a total of 9.86".

It wasn't too long ago back in 2006 we had our second greatest yearly rainfall total ever of 17.51, that was the year with flooding rains mainly during our summer monsoon. With the two years following 2006 also seeing above average precipitation. But the pattern as of late has been drought. And looking at some of the long term predictions, we could see the below average precipitation last thought at least the first part of next year.