Weather warm and dry

The weather continues warm and dry in San Juan County as the dryer-than-normal conditions extend into another month.

In November, Blanding received just 0.1 of an inch of precipitation and stands at less than ten percent of normal for the water year, which started on October 1.

In addition, the high temperatures continue significantly above normal. Monticello high temperatures were a full ten degrees higher than normal in November, averaging 57 degrees compared to 47 degrees in a typical year.

Blanding had a record-high temperature for the month of November on November 3, Election Day, when the high temperature was 79 degrees. It shattered the previous record of 72 degrees that was set in 1983.

The snowpack in area mountains is low, which is not uncommon for this time of year. On December 8, there was 1.2 inches of water in the three inches of snow at the Camp Jackson Sno-tel station on the Abajo Mountains west of Monticello and north of Blanding.

Weather watchers are hoping for a break in the current pattern. The early days of December have continued the trend and until the weather patterns change, the area is stuck with day after day of warm and dry weather.