It’s the new year and Zack Guido and Mike Crimmins are back to give the lowdown on what’s happening in regards to the Southwest Climate in this month’s Podcast. They cover this past winter’s three-month pattern and overall conditions. Then they get global with the current state of El Niño and its influence on atmospheric rivers and other precip events seen in the first half of February. There’s a quick look at the resulting snowpack - which is an important feature of the west’s water supply. And finally they round it out with a look to the rest of the month which may or may not be the rally we need for a typical wet El Niño before La Niña comes back around.
Mentions:
ENSO Blog: “February 2024 ENSO Outlook: All along the La Niña WATCH-tower”
National Weather Service - Climate Prediction Center: Outlooks
USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service: Snow and Water Interactive Map
National Interagency Coordination Center: Fire Outlook