Vehicles drive on the flooded Freeway 5 after an El Niño-strengthened storm introduced rain to Los Angeles on Jan. 6, 2016.
Lucy Nicholson | Reuters
The El Niño weather sample remains to be lively heading into the winter this 12 months and it will imply the northern and much west parts of the U.S. will have a warmer-than-usual winter. Also, some western and southeastern swaths of the U.S. will have a wetter winter than standard, in accordance with a prediction launched Thursday from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
El Niño, meaning “little boy” in Spanish, and La Niña, meaning “little girl” in Spanish, are reverse weather patterns pushed by a change in the commerce winds in the Pacific Ocean. When lively, they can affect weather conditions around the globe.
This is the first time in 4 years that El Niño has been lively as winter begins, in accordance with the NOAA.
Temperatures in the northern and much west parts of the U.S. will be hotter than regular, particularly in Alaska, the Pacific Northwest and northern New England.
U.S. outlook for temperature for the 2023-24 winter.
Image credit score: NOAA
El Niño will additionally imply parts of northern Alaska, some elements of the West, the Gulf Coast, the southern plains area, the decrease mid-Atlantic and the southeastern U.S. will doubtless see a wetter-than-usual winter, in accordance with the NOAA.
“An enhanced southern jet stream and related moisture usually current throughout sturdy El Niño occasions helps excessive odds for above-average precipitation for the Gulf Coast, decrease Mississippi Valley and Southeast states this winter,” Jon Gottschalck, of the NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, stated in a written statement.
Parts of the northern Rockies and central Great Lakes area, particularly Michigan, northern Ohio and Indiana, are forecast to have a drier-than-normal winter.
Precipitation outlook for the U.S. between December and February, in accordance with the NOAA.
Image credit score: NOAA
One-third of the U.S. is in a drought as of Oct.17, in accordance with Brad Pugh, operational drought lead with the NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. And so for some areas, the further rain will be welcome.
“During late October, heavy precipitation is more likely to end in drought enchancment for the central U.S. El Niño with its enhanced precipitation is anticipated to supply drought aid to the southern U.S. throughout the subsequent few months,” Pugh said in a statement.
While El Niño rains will alleviate ongoing droughts in some areas, it could additionally drive the improvement of drought situations in the Pacific Northwest. Hawaii’s drought, which contributed to the Maui fires earlier this 12 months, can also be forecast to persist or worsen.
The drought outlook for the U.S. between November 2023 and January 2024.
Image credit score: NOAA
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