While below normal precipitation
is correlated to La Niña events across much of New Mexico, the relationship
is weaker across northern New Mexico. For stations in northwest New Mexico,
both Aztec and Chaco Canyon average about 85% of normal precipitation during
the winter months of an established La Niña. Grants, situated to
the south of these two stations, tends to have drier winters, and averages
about 75% of normal precipitation. Note that for the five La Niña
years since 1989, winter precipitation was less than 50% of normal for
3 of the 5 years.
Years Below Normal
Years Near Normal
Years Above Normal
13
3
5
Years Below Normal
Years Near Normal
Years Above Normal
11
6
3
(1 year missing data)
Years Below Normal
Years Near Normal
Years Above Normal
13
0
5
3 years 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).
National Weather Service
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Albuquerque, NM 87106
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Weather Service Weather Forecast Office
