The 5-day outlook is mostly dry across the Argentina and far southeast Brazil drought region. Anomalous heat risk is high in Argentina only. In the medium-range, wet risk increases. Thundershower activity is more widespread across Southeast Brazil reaching Uruguay at times and also Paraguay into northern Argentina. However, the core drought zone in northeast/east Argentina is likely mostly dry and somewhat hotter than normal as drought worsens.

Australia Bureau of Meteorology more forcefully indicates a sufficiently warm Nino34 SSTA regime to warrant an El Nino event by June.

The combination of week-long period of no rain, excessive heat, shallow and deep layer soil moisture deficits produces a flash drought risk across Argentina into the second third of January.

The atmospheric river pattern into California is more appropriately described as an atmospheric tsunami. A 960 MB low-pressure area is forecast off the Oregon Coast tonight. Coupled with the high terrain of California, the interaction will create a widespread dangerous windstorm capable of knocking out power for much of the state, particularly central and north sections. Excessive rain will cause additional flooding in urban areas, rivers, streams, and creeks. Dangerous mountain travel with multiple feet of snow beginning around 6,000 feet.