With the MJO lingering in the west/central Pacific warm phases, this forced a strong and sustained polar vortex, which resulted in the 6th warmest winter on record for the US.

This enhanced the mid latitude subtropical ridge and forced the lowering of heights across the high latitudes, hence the strong polar vortex which bottled polar air within the source region.

Lack of polar air kept Gulf of Mexico waters much warmer than normal.

So, summer-like Gulf of Mexico waters led to a summer-like upper high above. The ocean-atmosphere system has led to drought throughout the US Gulf Coast as well as much of Mexico and the Caribbean. Drought and stronger than normal high pressure leads to record breaking heat.

Warm GOM.

 

https://twitter.com/MichaelRLowry/status/1249061412896464896

Stronger than normal high.

Leads to drought.

Record heat!

Warmest March on record from Brownsville, TX to Naples, FL.

https://twitter.com/capitalweather/status/1243581886896787460

All these Mexican cities also recorded their warmest March on record.

Many cities on the surrounding landmasses of both Gulf and Caribbean have not only seen record warmest month but also hottest March or April days on record.

https://twitter.com/NWSMiami/status/1252332360302948353

https://twitter.com/EricBlake12/status/1249805565833986048

https://twitter.com/ZdenekNejedly/status/1249684848069029893

https://twitter.com/ZdenekNejedly/status/1248943992559075329

https://twitter.com/ProfRayWills/status/1250005751902253056

Tags: caribbean drought, caribbean heat, Gulf Coast heat, warmest march on record