A winter El Niño pattern typically bring wetter and colder conditions in the southern US while the northern areas are warmer. Forecasters don't expect El Niño for winter 2024.
NOAAEl Niño is the flip side of La Niña. Recent extreme heat conditions can be traced to the climate crisis. El Niño -- the part of the ENSO cycle when equatorial Pacific Ocean surface temperatures are warmer than average -- also played a role. An El Niño event usually brings wetter conditions to the southern US with warmer and drier conditions to the north. El Niño typically lasts for a shorter time than La Niña.
The National Weather Service forecasts a 60% chance of La Niña developing sometime through November. It's expected to be a weak event if it forms.
Historically, La Niña events that occur this late in the year tend to be weak.
"The strength of an ENSO event, as gauged by its sea surface temperature departures, matters because stronger events change the atmospheric circulation more consistently, leading to more consistent impacts on temperature, rainfall and other patterns," research scientist Emily Becker wrote in an October ENSO update for NOAA. That leaves room for forecasts to shift as we move through the end of the year.
The NWS Climate Prediction Center issued seasonal outlooks for November through January showing a likelihood for above-normal temperatures for the southern and eastern regions of the US. Look for below-normal precipitation stretching coast to coast across the south. The northern parts of the country could have above-normal precipitation. That's in line with expectations for a weak La Niña.
We're currently in a La Niña watch. Expect an official ENSO update in mid-November. By that point, we may have a better idea of whether you should invest in a new umbrella, get warmer workout gear or plan to water your lawn more often this winter.
Source: cnet.com