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Widespread Thunderstorms and Showers in the Southeast and Northwest

Widespread showers and thunderstorms may produce isolate instances of flash flooding across the Ozarks and Southeast through Friday. Scattered severe storms and heavy rain is expected across the Northwest U.S.. Gusty winds and low relative humidity will contribute to elevated fire weather over a portion of the northern Plains with a secondary threat in the Great Basin. 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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