Winter Rain

Those living in the high desert of New Mexico, especially those with agricultural professions, are always concerned about the weather.  The winter rains have been sparse again this year until yesterday.  The first big storm of the year arrived yesterday and dropped 0.92" of rain at the Painted Pony Resort .  This welcomed rainfall was a fairly gentle rain and the ground received a good soaking.  To top things off, upon going outside this morning the residents of the valley were greeted to a particularly spectacular sunrise shown below.  Perhaps the poppies will bloom soon.

March sunrise (click to enlarge)

Winter in Rodeo, New Mexico's Most Western Town

The big storm that has affected most of the US also reached into the bootheel and brought with it some cold temperatures.  The temperature dipped to 0 degrees last night at the Rodeo airport and many in the valley awoke to frozen water lines.  The consolation is that there are clear skies and the Chiricahua mountains, with a light dusting of snow, are beautiful.  Below is a photograph taken early this morning.  So while it may be cold for all the desert dwellers this morning the views are still spectacular.

A February morning view of the Chiricahua Mountains