The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its winter outlook. For Texas, we are looking at near-normal temperatures and wetter-than-normal conditions. While there are some potential drought improvements, it is expected to hang around. Figure 1b below gives us a three-month precipitation outlook.
Monthly Drought Update and El Niño Possibility!
The last three years have been years of La Niñas, while there is some chatter of a super El Niño coming, right now there is a 71 % chance of a strong El Niño developing (defined as a sea-surface temperature greater than or equal to 1.5 degrees Celsius). Figure 6a illustrates El Niño conditions exceeding 95% chance of extending through the winter, with growing chances of more neutral conditions in early Spring 2024.
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Weak El Niño Now, But Likely to Grow Through Winter
Despite being weak, El Niño conditions continue to be in place, after the event was deemed officially underway a month ago. This is the first El Niño in four years and there is a 90% chance that these conditions will remain throughout winter.
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