NWS ABQ - El Nino Winter Precip for CD3

Northeastern Plains

December-January-February Precipitation

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Stations in the northeast and east central plains (Clayton, Tucumcari 4NE and Clovis) exhibit a higher percentage of average DJF precipitation (134%, 130%, and 134% respectively) during El Niño winters. Climate Division 3 is another area where correlation between El Niño events and precipitation is not exceptionally strong. Clovis (the station farthest south in this climate division) shows the best trend for increased precipitation with El Niño. The effect is greater during years with strong El Niños, with all winters near or above average at Clayton, Tucumcari, and Clovis and a significant increase in winter precipitation is observed. Greater anomalies after the PDO shift are evident.

A description of the graphs is located at the bottom of the page.

winter precip for clayton during el nino events

Percent of Longterm Average for all El Niño Events = 134% , for strong El Niño Events = 148%

winter precip for tucumcari during el nino events

Percent of Longterm Average for all El Niño Events = 130% , for strong El Niño Events = 167%

winter precip for clovis during el nino events

Percent of Longterm Average for all El Niño Events = 134% , for strong El Niño Events = 159%

Precipitation values for 3-month periods during 18 El Niño Events since 1949-50 are plotted with respect to the long term precipitation average, listed to the right of the graph. The precipitation totals for each 3-month period are plotted above or below each bar. Years for which the El Niño Event was considered to be strong are colored in dark green. "M" represents a 3-month period with missing data. Finally, the percents of long term normal for all El Niño events and for the strong El Niño events are listed below each graph.