Albuquerque, N.M. • National climate experts have been watching and waiting but El Nino has only been teasing, leaving the American Southwest to hang on longer until the weather pattern develops and brings more moisture to the drought-stricken region.
Experts with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center and the National Weather Service on Thursday said the epicenter of the nation's drought has been centered for months now over the region where Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah meet.
The exceptionally dry conditions have affected water supplies throughout the region, said senior hydrologist Royce Fontenot.