While below normal precipitation is correlated to La Niña
events across much of New Mexico, the relationship is weaker at higher
elevation stations. Stations in the north central mountains of the
state, generally have fewer dry winters and a higher percent of
normal precipitation, although averages remain below normal. For La Niña
events since 1950, Red River averages 97% percent of normal winter precipitation,
while El Vado Dam averages 92%. Santa Fe averages 86% of normal, but had
the fewest "below average" years with a total of nine. Note that
of the four stations below, Red River is the only site not to have experienced
a less than 25% of normal precipitation winter since 1950.
Years Below Normal
Years Near Normal
Years Above Normal
10
3
7
1 year missing data
Years Below Normal
Years Near Normal
Years Above Normal
10
4
7
Years Below Normal
Years Near Normal
Years Above Normal
12
1
7
1 year missing data
Years Below Normal
Years Near Normal
Years Above Normal
9
3
8
1 year missing data
In each of these charts, bars represent the percent of normal
precipitation that was received from December through
February during
an established La Niña event. The year plotted above or below the
bars represents the January/February calendar year. For example, 1951
represents the data for the DJF period starting in December 1950. "M" indicates
that data was
incomplete or missing for that DJF season. A gray bar represents a value
close to normal (+/- 10% of normal).
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