National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Dangerous Heat Wave Continues; Areas of Severe Thunderstorms Today

Dangerous, record-breaking heat will continue across most of the central and eastern U.S through Friday then focusing on the eastern U.S. through the Independence Day weekend. Peak heat indices of up to 115 degrees are possible. Strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible from the northern Plains into the Midwest and Great Lakes regions, as well as across the southern Appalachians today. Read More >

Monthly Precipitation Anomalies


Figure 3


a)


Monthly Precipitation Anomalies El Nino

b)


Monthly Precipitation Anomalies La Nina


Fig. 3. Total precipitation deviation from the monthly historical average during (a) El Niño and (b) La Niña events. Composites are made from all the historical El Niño or La Niña events.



Figure 4


a)


Monthly Precipitation Anomalies El Nino

b)


Monthly Precipitation Anomalies La Nina


Fig. 4. Total precipitation deviation from the monthly historical average during (a) El Niño and (b) La Niña events. Composites are made from all the historical El Niño or La Niña events.

Both Fig. 3 and Fig.4 show the deviation from the monthly total precipitation relative to historical average given in Fig. 2. and Table 1. However, the information in Fig. 3 is in unit of inches, while that in Fig. 4 is presented by percentage.
 
The monthly total precipitations at all six stations are slightly more than historical average during the El Niño year. However, from January to June of the year after an El Niño event, there is deficient precipitation. The maximum difference could reach as much as 3 inches (around 80%) less than its historical average amount at one station. During a La Niña event, on the other hand, moderate deficient precipitation took place in the first half of the La Niña year. While from October to the end of the next year there is more precipitation. Usually, there is 1-2 inches, or 20-40%, more than the historical average.
 

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