There are positive sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies across the equatorial Pacific (Figs. 1-2). Forecasts expect conditions will stay within the range of ENSO-neutral through at least summer 2020, with hints at a possible La Niña later in 2020.

Positive sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies remain in the equatorial Pacific, particularly in the western regions (Figs. 1-2). Despite lingering warm waters, forecasts expect overall conditions will stay in the range of ENSO-neutral through at least summer 2020.

Monthly Precipitation and Temperature: February precipitation ranged from below average to much below average in Arizona and New Mexico (Fig. 1a), while February temperatures were average to above-average across nearly all of Arizona and New Mexico (Fig. 1b). The daily average temperature anomalies for Feb 1 – Mar 18 (Fig. 2) highlight the fluctuations at select stations around the region.

Monthly Precipitation and Temperature: January precipitation ranged from average to much below average in most of Arizona, while New Mexico was mostly average, but included areas that ranged from below average to above average (Fig. 1a). January temperatures were above average across nearly all of Arizona and New Mexico (Fig. 1b). The daily average temperature anomalies for Jan 1 – Feb 17 (Fig. 1b) highlight the fluctuations at select stations around the region. Particularly notable was the cold snap in early February.

Positive sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies persisted in the equatorial Pacific, particularly in the western regions (Figs. 1-2). Despite these lingering warm waters, SSTs are expected to remain within the range of ENSO-neutral at longer timescales.

Warm waters continue to linger in the equatorial Pacific (Figs. 1-2), and while sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are expected to fall back within the range of ENSO-neutral, some forecasters made note of these warm conditions as something to keep an eye on in 2020.