Summary:
- February was the coolest month of the winter so far in the west yet was still warmer than average[1] into California, the Great Basin, and the southwest. The extreme cold in the mid-section of the county made February one of the coldest months in years in many areas.
- February was wetter than average north, while continued drier than average south.
- Drought concerns continue over the west with over 65% of the region in severe to exceptional drought. Winter precipitation has provided enough to lower concerns in some areas of the PNW, but longer-term concerns continue for inland portions of the PNW, California, and the desert southwest.
- A mild start to March will give way to what looks like a cool month for most of the west. Some precipitation in play for everyone, including California, although amounts are not expected to be much more than close to average for the month. The big flip from the past couple of months, the east is forecast to be warm while the west is cool.
- We continue to see influences from the La Niña conditions in the Tropical Pacific, but also the relatively warm North Pacific. Even with the La Niña expected to dissipate in late spring, the forecast continues to tilt the odds of the PNW and northern states to be near average to slightly cool and wet, and California and the central to southern states are forecast to be relatively warm and dry.
