Last week, the Nino4 SSTA warmed too above the El Nino threshold. The Nino4 region is located on either side of the Dateline and the warming in this region is a southwestward expansion of surface warming associated with an intense marine heatwave off the West Coast of North America.

Although remaining within the ENSO prediction barrier (EPB) strongest during MAR/APR, most dynamic models are projecting a moderate-to-strong El Nino to emerge mid-to-late 2026. Coinciding with the strong El Nino, is a projection of positive phase Indian Ocean dipole.

During the past 30 days, 2-meter temperature forecasts verification skill scores (using anomaly correlation) reveal best skill is across South America trailed by a tie between North America and Europe with Australia in last place.

Although forecast models vary and consider possible improvement in U.S. soil moisture by late calendar spring, the Climate Impact Company constructed analog forecast of Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) favors an expansive dry-to-drought pattern for both the West and Central U.S. Forecast confidence is near to above normal on weakening drought risk across the eastern third of the nation and strengthening drought across the West U.S. to Texas. However, forecast confidence is near to below average for the Central U.S. dry outlook.