Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Southern Region for June – August 2019.  Dated September 2019.

Summer temperatures were near normal for much of the region. Below-normal temperatures were reported in the northern part of the region, while above-normal temperatures were reported in the southern and western parts of the region. Summer precipitation was above normal across much of the Southern Region with the exception of much of Texas and western Oklahoma. 

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Southern Region for March – May 2019.  Dated June 2019.

Spring temperatures exhibited a west-to-east pattern across the region in general, with above normal temperatures in the east and normal to slightly below normal temperatures in the western states.  Spring precipitation was primarily above normal across the Southern Region.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Southern Region for December 2018 – February 2019.  Dated March 2019.

Winter temperatures exhibited a west-to-east pattern across the region in general, with above normal temperatures in the east and normal to slightly below normal temperatures in the western states. Winter precipitation also exhibited a west-to-east pattern, with drier than normal conditions in the west and wetter than normal conditions in the east.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Southern Region for March – May 2020.  Dated June 2020.

After a warm March, temperatures were cooler in April and May. This created a north-to-south pattern with below-normal temperatures in the north and above-normal temperatures in the south. Precipitation was primarily above normal. Parts of every state received precipitation 150 percent or more of normal, with the western part of the region drying out as the spring progressed.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Southern Region for September – November 2018.  Dated December 2018. 

Temperatures exhibited a west-to-east pattern, with cooler-than-normal temperatures in the west and warmer-than-normal temperatures in the east. Most of the region received above-normal precipitation with the exception of northeastern Oklahoma, northwestern Arkansas, and far western Texas.

Provides a definition of El Nino; the outlook for winter temperatures and precipitation; potential winter and spring impacts; and a look back at previous El Nino winters.

NOAA’s Regional Climate Services Program created these Outlooks to inform the public about climate impacts within their respective regions. Each regional report contains easy-to-understand language, and anyone can access them through the Drought Portal at https://www.drought.gov/drought/resources/reports.  

Southern Plains Under El Niño Watch

• In Oklahoma and Texas, drought peaked in early May. Only a few small areas in the Texas Panhandle and northeast Oklahoma still show Abnormally Dry Conditions.
• Major concerns continue for streamflows and reservoir levels in New Mexico. Another snow drought could cause devastating impacts to the state.
• There is a 70% to 75% chance that El Niño will develop and persist through the winter; however, it is expected to be weak.

CURRENT CONDITIONS

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Southern Region for June – August 2018.  Dated September 2018. 

Drought Easing but Extreme Drought Lingers in Southern Plains. Robust Monsoon Anticipated.

• Drought peaked in May in northwest Oklahoma and the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles.