As Spring began, many in the Southwest experienced a heat wave, sweeping through Albuquerque, which hit daily new record high temperatures.
Temperatures in March reached 91 degrees Fahrenheit, while normally averaging with highs in the lower 60 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Extreme Weather Watch. The warm weather caused vegetation to wake from hibernation and bloom early.
Some University of New Mexico students have noticed the shifting weather patterns and associated impacts.
Graduate student in civil engineering, Jaimie Ritchie, said she’s “concerned” that temperatures will only continue to trend upward because of climate change.
“It's disappointing to see the current state of negotiations with compacts, including the Colorado River Compact, the Rio Grande Compact and knowing that nobody is currently really making an effort to compromise and find a solution,” Ritchie said. “We're just all fighting, and if we fight, we won't have any water.”
In February, seven Colorado River states, including New Mexico, failed to agree on a compromise to share the river’s dwindling water supply, and missed the deadline to reach a deal, after which federal officials said they would impose their own plan, according to PBS.
“If we work together, we can all use less,” Ritchie said.
During the late March heatwave, The Unified Fire in Valencia County burned 500 acres in the bosque, leading to road closures and evacuations that were later rescinded, according to Valencia County News Bulletin.
The heatwave, combined with extreme snow drought and low precipitation, resulted in above average wildfire risk, according to Source NM.
Graduate student in economics, Alex Kaltenbach, said he’s disappointed with the state.
“Seeing snowpack and precipitation so low, it's really gonna make it scary,” Kaltenbach said.
“I am a little concerned with the way the state's operating because we do produce so much oil and gas, it feels like there's a certain element of bringing it upon ourselves.”
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New Mexico ranks second after Texas in crude oil production as of last fall, according to the United States Energy Information Administration.
“The way that we're operating and the way that we allow industry to operate within our state, it's really scary to see as a young person,” Kaltenbach said. “I'm scared that we're gonna see our economy decline in the long run, especially seeing these trends now and knowing that the worst is yet to come.”
Leila Chapa is the social media and photo editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06
Paloma Chapa contributed reporting to this article.
Leila Chapa is the social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06
