Extreme Heat Across the Southern U.S.; Severe Thunderstorms and Heavy Rain in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest

Dangerous heat will remain across portions of the southern U.S. through the weekend. A heat wave over the Southwest will intensify this week, peaking and expanding into the Intermountain West and northern High Plains this weekend. Severe thunderstorms will produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall over portions of the northern/central Plains into the mid/upper-Mississippi Valleys today. Read More >

Northeastern Plains

December-January-February Precipitation

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Stations we studied in the northeast and east central plains (Clayton, Tucumcari 4NE and Clovis) exhibit lower percent of average DJF precipitation (69%, 70% and 72% respectively) during La Niña winters than the value for the climate division in which they are located (79%). The effect is greater during years with strong La Niñas, with all winters near or below average at both Tucumcari and Clovis and a significant overall reduction in winter precipitation.

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

winter precip for clayton during la nina events

Percent of Longterm Average for all La Niña Events = 69% , for strong La Niña Events = 56%

winter precip for tucumcari during la nina events

Percent of Longterm Average for all La Niña Events = 70% , for strong La Niña Events = 55%

winter precip for clovis during la nina events

Percent of Longterm Average for all La Niña Events = 72% , for strong La Niña Events = 60%

Precipitation values for 3-month periods during 19 La Niña 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 La Niña Event was considered to be strong are colored in purple. "M" represents a 3-month period with missing data. Finally, the percents of longterm normal for all La Niña events and for the strong La Niña events are listed below each graph.

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Extreme Heat Across the Southern U.S.; Severe Thunderstorms and Heavy Rain in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest

NWS ABQ La Nina Winter Precipitation CD3