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Preliminary Forecast for Runoff into Rio Grande Isn't Good

ALBQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Winter isn't over but a new preliminary forecast says runoff from mountain snows spells trouble for New Mexico, which has been beset by years of drought.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that the National Water and Climate Center's preliminary forecast is based largely on snowfall so far in the mountains of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado.

Runoff from that snow flows into the Rio Grande Valley during the spring and summer.

Forecaster Angus Goodbody with the climate center in Portland, Oregon, says even a wet spring may not be enough to allow New Mexico to avoid a fifth consecutive year of below-average runoff.

Another season of below-average runoff could be bad news for farmers in southern New Mexico and for other users of Rio Grande water.