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.

Long-term drought in the Southwest will continue to impact reservoirs and water supply

• Weak El Niño conditions developed in January; an “El Niño Advisory” is in effect as of 14 February 2019.
• ​Since October 2018, the region has experienced mostly wetter and cooler conditions than 1981-2010 normals (Fig 1).
• Extreme and Exceptional Drought in the Southwest has decreased in extent from 25% in October 2018 to 5% in February 2019 (Fig 2).
• Several years of above-average precipitation and run-off will be needed to alleviate the water supply deficits r

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.  

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

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Southern Region for March – May 2018.  Dated June 2018.  

Temperatures varied spatially throughout the Southern Region. The western part of the region experienced above normal temperatures and the remainder of the region experienced near normal temperatures.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Southern Region for December 2017 – February 2018.  Dated March 2018. 

Temperatures deviated slightly from normal this winter for most of the Southern Region. Parts of Mississippi, western Texas, and southeastern Louisiana experienced above-normal temperatures. Winter precipitation varied spatially throughout the Southern Region. Parts of Texas and Oklahoma received five percent or less of normal precipitation.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Southern Region for September – November 2017.  Dated December 2017. 

Discussion of La Niña in winter; outlook for precipitation and temperatures; impacts on drought, agriculture, and the economy; how past La Niñas have unfolded.  

NOAA’s Regional Climate Services Program created these Outlooks to inform the public about recent 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.