NWS ABQ La Nina Winter Precipitation CD8

Southern Desert

December-January-February Precipitation

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The relationship between La Niña and below normal precipitation in New Mexico is strongest in the southwest corner of the state, and it is here where we note the greatest reductions in expected winter precipitation. Lordsburg had below average precipitation during all La Niña episodes except 1984-1985 when several strong winter storms brought well above normal precipitation and at least two snow events to the area. During the strongest La Niña winters, DJF precipitation was less than half of the long term normal at Lordsburg.

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

winter precip for lordsburg during la nina events

Percent of Longterm Average for all La Niña Events = 64% , for strong La Niña Events = 43%

winter precip for las cruces during la nina events

Percent of Longterm Average for all La Niña Events = 81% , for strong La Niña Events = 78%

Precipitation values for 3-month periods during 19 La Niña Events since 1949-1950 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.