Today’s preliminary CPC PNA of +1.39 is the highest daily CPC PNA of this winter. And it will be rising further with a target near +1.75 ~Feb 21st. That would be the highest CPC PNA on any winter day since 12/7/2020!
Per GEFS, I’m currently projecting a Feb CPC PNA of ~+1.60. That along with the +1.70 of Dec and +1.05 of Jan would give a DJF averaged CPC PNA of +1.45. The current highest DJF averaged CPC PNA (back to 1950-1) are the +1.43 of 2015-6 and the +1.41 of 1976-7, both El Niños. So, 2024-5 still has a shot at having the strongest DJF averaged CPC PNA on record (back to 1950-1). It will obliterate the current highest La Niña CPC PNA of +0.89 (2000-01).
Note that I was careful to always call this the “CPC PNA” as opposed to just “PNA” due to Chuck and others questioning the CPC calculations of the CPC PNA in parts of late Jan and early Feb.