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THIS REPORTED UPDATED 1-31-2011 The latest ENSO report continues with negative SST's (sea surface temperatures) in the Eastern Pacific-meaning the La Nina continues. The Jet Stream resumed a La Nina influenced pattern for the New Mexico-Texas region in January with periodic deviations... more than likely due to other climate oscillations . The result of these oscillations includes a wetter than average January for North, Central and Southwest Texas. It appears likely than this year's weaker La Nina pattern will fade as Summer approaches and I do not anticipate a severe drought for 2012. Still, the drought of 2011 will continue into mid 2012-with the average winter 2012 temp readings above average and the moisture deficit continuing. Precipitation opportunities into 2012 will probably not be sufficient to end this severe drought. The Wildfire threat is returning as the above average-warm weather increases and weather systems produces windy conditions. Outdoor burn bans will continue for most of the region. For Southeast New Mexico--the dry weather pattern will contiue into 2012. Since this will be a weak La Nina-expect precipitation opportunities over the Fall-Winter Season. Precipitation will not be sufficient to end the severe drought and wildfire threat. For Ruidoso-Cloudcroft-Alamagordo--the early snow season is produced more snow than 2011, but seasonal totals should remain below average as the La Nina influenced Jet Stream returns.

Send weather questions or pictures of New Mexico weather events to rroberts@ronrobertsweather.com

Ron Roberts