Summary:
- The high-pressure blocking pattern has persisted resulting in back-to-back dry months over most of the west. Some changes already underway bring many more chances for precipitation than we have had lately.
- Cooler than average* temperatures over much of the west in February, except for coastal southern California, northern California, the Sierra Nevada, and the Cascades which were closer to normal or slightly warmer.
- Drought concerns elevated again in February with a near-record dry month over the west. Over 95% of the west continues in some level of drought, with the most severe to exceptional drought conditions rising again from the dry year-to-date conditions. Chances for drought improvement in the PNW are forecast, but little improvement is expected in California, the Great Basin, and the southwest.
- Cooler temperatures along with some precipitation are forecast for the first and second week of March for most of the west. The rest of the month hints at cool and wet from northern California into the PNW, and near average temperatures and near average precipitation to dry southward and eastward.
- The spring month forecasts are showing the continued La Niña and PDO influence and are pointing to the west a cool April with near-average precipitation and a warm and dry May. PNW is more likely to recover some of their water year precipitation deficit, while California and the southwest are less likely.
