Warm and Dry Conditions to Persist

High pressure has dominated the Southwest over the last 30 days, leading to above-average temperatures, below-average precipitation, and persistent drought throughout the region, especially in West Texas and southwest New Mexico. The February Climate Outlook from CLIMAS projects warm and dry conditions to continue through May, as La Niña conditions are also expected to persist through the next few months. Snowpack conditions are still well below average throughout the Southwest and in the Upper Colorado Basin; as a result, chances for above-average spring inflow into the Colorado River reservoirs are slim.