As La Niña strengthens, forecasters warn of a potential return to drought
7 months, 2 weeks ago

As La Niña strengthens, forecasters warn of a potential return to drought

LA Times  

As La Niña gathers strength in the tropical Pacific, forecasters are warning that the climate pattern could plunge California back into drought conditions in the months ahead. “Drought episodes do wane and redevelop, and a lot of that is associated with La Niña,” said Brad Pugh, a meteorologist with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. Nathan Lenssen, a climate scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research and the Colorado School of Mines, said he’s hopeful La Niña won’t lead to another year of drought for California, especially given the explosive wildfires already seen across the state this year. “So for things like flooding, we’re still not out of the woods, even with the La Niña.” Indeed, La Niña was also in place during the state’s record-wet winter of 2022-23, he noted. “If La Niña continues through the winter, we would expect drier- than-normal conditions over Southern California and the Southwest,” Pugh said.

Winter Climate Drought California Pacific Southern Southwest Temperatures Southern California El Niño La Niña Noaa Enso Diliberto  winter  climate  temperatures  potential  southern  pacific  drought  return  strengthens  dryness  forecasters  la  niña  warn  california

History of this topic

Southern California is heating up. How long will the high temperatures last?
6 days ago

Southern California is heating up. How long will the high temperatures last?

LA Times  

Temperatures in Southern California will continue to climb Monday, with many areas from Burbank to Santa Clarita likely to experience the hottest day of the year so far. The heat is forecast to reach 87 degrees in downtown Los Angeles and 90 degrees in Burbank, with even warmer temperatures predicted in the San Fernando, San Gabriel and Santa Clarita valleys. …

NOAA says La Nina ocean cooling has finally arrived, but it’s weak and may cause fewer problems
2 months, 2 weeks ago

NOAA says La Nina ocean cooling has finally arrived, but it’s weak and may cause fewer problems

Associated Press  

A long-awaited La Nina has finally appeared, but the periodic cooling of Pacific Ocean waters is weak and unlikely to cause as many weather problems as usual, meteorologists said Thursday. La Nina, the flip side of the better-known El Nino, is an irregular rising of unusually cold water in a key part of the central equatorial Pacific that changes weather …

California’s Wildfires Show No Signs of Slowing Down
55 years, 2 months ago

California’s Wildfires Show No Signs of Slowing Down

Wired  

On Tuesday, Santa Ana winds swept seaward through Southern California, scattering embers and then fanning flames of a growing wildfire. The fires turned catastrophic so quickly because of unusually dry and windy conditions: “Any little spark, whether from a lightning strike or a person or a campfire is going to quickly, quickly escalate,” says Jennifer Marlon, research scientist and lecturer …

With negligible rain in 8 months, Southern California swings toward drought
2 months, 3 weeks ago

With negligible rain in 8 months, Southern California swings toward drought

LA Times  

California is entering the fourth month of what is typically the rainy season, but in the Southland, the landscape is beginning to show signs of drought. “Southern California remains dry,” said Michael Anderson, state climatologist for the Department of Water Resources. At this point last year, precipitation remained below average until a “miracle March” storm came along and pushed up …

December Wildfires Are Now a Thing
3 months, 1 week ago

December Wildfires Are Now a Thing

Wired  

This story originally appeared on High Country News and is part of the Climate Desk collaboration. A downtown Los Angeles weather station has recorded only 5.7 inches of rain this year, and not even a quarter-inch has fallen in December, which is usually the middle of the region’s wet season. That’s the real kicker.” Daniel Swain, climate scientist, UCLA In …

With bone-dry conditions, Southern California high fire danger could linger into the new year
3 months, 2 weeks ago

With bone-dry conditions, Southern California high fire danger could linger into the new year

LA Times  

By this time of year, Southern California has usually recorded some measurable rainfall. If the rains don’t come and the winds do, he said, “that will keep us in high fire season.” Two recent stretches of dangerous Santa Ana winds played out exactly the way forecasters worried they would, fueling the flames of major fires across coastal Southern California. “Down …

A weak La Niña could bring dry conditions to parts of Southwest this winter, NOAA says
5 months, 1 week ago

A weak La Niña could bring dry conditions to parts of Southwest this winter, NOAA says

LA Times  

A weak La Niña is forecast to appear this winter and affect weather patterns across the country, likely bringing drier-than-average conditions in much of the Southwest and wetter-than-average conditions in the Pacific Northwest, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “Drought is not favored to develop in California at the current time, but it’s something we will be watching …

La Niña winter is nearly here. How could the climate pattern affect the US?
5 months, 2 weeks ago

La Niña winter is nearly here. How could the climate pattern affect the US?

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. As the cool phase of the …

Latest modelling tips fourth La Niña for Australia in five years before the end of 2024
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Latest modelling tips fourth La Niña for Australia in five years before the end of 2024

ABC  

There are growing signs Australia's most impactful climate driver, La Niña, will develop during the coming months. When the Pacific enters a La Niña state stronger trade winds pile up warmer water near Australia which increase cloud development and rain. Australia's 12 wettest years on record were all associated with La Niña, however most occurred during the stronger events, and …

As California swelters, climate officials declare Summer 2024 the hottest on record
6 months, 3 weeks ago

As California swelters, climate officials declare Summer 2024 the hottest on record

LA Times  

As Southern California swelters under its most punishing heat wave of the year, international climate officials have confirmed that summer 2024 was Earth’s hottest on record. The global average temperature in June, July and August — known as the boreal summer in the Northern hemisphere — was a record-breaking 62.24 degrees, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. …

INCOIS revises outlook, forecasts La Niña from September
7 months, 4 weeks ago

INCOIS revises outlook, forecasts La Niña from September

The Hindu  

Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services has revised the outlook for the probability of La Niña weather condition in Pacific Ocean stating that its evolution is significantly highfromSeptember with a possibility to peak in November and its influence may continue till December with a probability as high as 70%. La Niña usually aids rains in monsoon La Niña, which …

El Niño makes an exit, but La Niña could bring dry conditions back to California
9 months, 2 weeks ago

El Niño makes an exit, but La Niña could bring dry conditions back to California

LA Times  

After a year of dominance, El Niño’s wrath has come to end — but its climate-churning counterpart, La Niña, is hot on its heels and could signal a return to dryness for California. “La Niña generally results in cooler global mean temperatures,” L’Heureux said in an email. “The tilt toward increased chances of below-average precipitation and above-average temperatures for the …

The End of El Niño Might Make the Weather Even More Extreme
9 months, 3 weeks ago

The End of El Niño Might Make the Weather Even More Extreme

Wired  

This story originally appeared on Grist and is part of the Climate Desk collaboration. The driving forces behind these projections include the alternating Pacific Ocean climate patterns known as El Niño and La Niña, which can create huge shifts in temperature and precipitation across the North and South American continents. After almost a year of El Niño, La Niña is …

Fading of El Nino to bring more rain
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Fading of El Nino to bring more rain

China Daily  

The decline of the periodic El Nino weather pattern, which brings warmer air over the Pacific Ocean, could lead to increased rainfall in large areas of China, meteorological experts said on Wednesday. We are expected to enter La Nina conditions later this summer," Jia Xiaolong, deputy director of China's National Climate Center, said at a news conference on Wednesday. Among …

Fading of El Nino to bring more rain
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Fading of El Nino to bring more rain

China Daily  

The decline of the periodic El Nino weather pattern, which brings warmer air over the Pacific Ocean, could lead to increased rainfall in large areas of China, meteorological experts said on Wednesday. We are expected to enter La Nina conditions later this summer," Jia Xiaolong, deputy director of China's National Climate Center, said at a news conference on Wednesday. Among …

La Nina may not lead to dip in temperatures soon: WMO
9 months, 3 weeks ago

La Nina may not lead to dip in temperatures soon: WMO

Hindustan Times  

La Nina will not lead to any major drop in land surface or sea surface temperatures during the next few months, World Meteorological Organisation’s long-range forecasts stated on Monday. La Niña refers to the large-scale cooling of the ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. Seasonal forecasts for El Niño and La Niña and the anticipated …

Preparing for La Nina days
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Preparing for La Nina days

Hindustan Times  

Conditions have turned favourable for the La Nina phenomenon in the next few months, according to the Climate Prediction Centre of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the US. The rains — the India Meteorological Department has already predicted an above-normal monsoon with estimated rainfall of 106% of the long period average — would be a welcome relief for …

La Nina effect may lead to above-normal rains
10 months, 2 weeks ago

La Nina effect may lead to above-normal rains

Hindustan Times  

Conditions have turned favourable for the La Nina weather phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean to start in the next few months, the Climate Prediction Centre of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the US has said, which could lead to above average rainfall and floods in India during the monsoon that begins in June. La Nina generally tends to …

El Niño is on the way out after a record-breaking year of heat
10 months, 3 weeks ago

El Niño is on the way out after a record-breaking year of heat

NPR  

El Niño is on the way out after a record-breaking year of heat Enlarge this image toggle caption Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP via Getty Images Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP via Getty Images The climate pattern known as El Niño is heading for the exit, after a year when it helped drive global temperatures to new records. Sponsor Message Scientists say it's a stark warning …

An El Niño-less summer is coming. Here’s what that could mean for the US
11 months ago

An El Niño-less summer is coming. Here’s what that could mean for the US

CNN  

CNN — It may be spring, but it’s not too soon to look ahead to summer weather, especially when El Niño – a player in last year’s especially brutal summer – is rapidly weakening and will all but vanish by the time the season kicks into gear. What this summer’s weather could look like El Niño is a natural climate …

Summer heat won’t last: Another cold, wet storm set to hit SoCal this weekend
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Summer heat won’t last: Another cold, wet storm set to hit SoCal this weekend

LA Times  

Pedestrians walk past Walt Disney Concert Hall on Saturday. “I am pretty sure it’s been every weekend for the last several weekends too.” These cold, wet Northern Pacific storms have seemingly targeted Angelenos’ spring weekends, hitting week after week on Friday or Saturday — often chilling outdoor weekend plans. But after this system — which is expected to bring cool …

‘Way, way, way above normal’ rains could set all-time L.A. record as wet weather continues
11 months, 4 weeks ago

‘Way, way, way above normal’ rains could set all-time L.A. record as wet weather continues

LA Times  

A jogger and palm trees are reflected in a pool of standing rain along the beach path as a late-season storm moves out of Southern California on Sunday in Santa Monica. That wet pattern has continued as winter has given way to spring, with this past weekend’s storm dumping up to 4 inches of rain in some areas — pushing …

Editorial: L.A. may not get another wet winter for a while. We should prepare for drier times
1 year ago

Editorial: L.A. may not get another wet winter for a while. We should prepare for drier times

LA Times  

A wet February weekend, as shown in this Feb. 4 photo of the Grammy Awards ceremony at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles, gave way to a wet March as the 2024 Southern California rainy season drew to a close. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power captured and stored more than 13.5 billion gallons of stormwater in February …

Our El Niño winter could make way for a La Niña summer
1 year, 1 month ago

Our El Niño winter could make way for a La Niña summer

LA Times  

It’s Monday, Feb. 12. Climate change is making weather whiplash more extreme As The Times’ Hayley Smith reported, La Niña’s last visit to the Golden state lasted a rare three years straight. That weather pattern “was a notable factor in California’s most recent drought, which saw unprecedented water restrictions, shriveling groundwater supplies and record-low levels on the Colorado River,” Hayley …

After a brief reprieve more wet weather is on the way for Southern California
1 year, 1 month ago

After a brief reprieve more wet weather is on the way for Southern California

LA Times  

Gilberto Bueno rides a horse through a Duarte neighborhood as heavy rain pelted the region last week. Southern California is enjoying a brief reprieve from the wet weather, but it’s expected to return in a few days. Crisp morning temperatures will make way for sunny skies across Southern California this week, but don’t stash those umbrellas and rain boots away …

La Niña on the horizon? California’s wild weather year could get even weirder
1 year, 1 month ago

La Niña on the horizon? California’s wild weather year could get even weirder

LA Times  

Storm-soaked California is still in the clutches of a wet El Niño winter, but in an unexpected plot twist, La Niña could be hot on its heels. “Taken all together, that’s why we issued the watch.” La Niña tends to favor the opposite pattern of El Niño, L’Heureux said. Climate change is also exerting more influence on conditions in California …

El Niño and climate change are supercharging incoming storm, SoCal’s biggest this winter
1 year, 1 month ago

El Niño and climate change are supercharging incoming storm, SoCal’s biggest this winter

LA Times  

Storm clouds hang over Walton Lighthouse on Thursday in Santa Cruz. “As ocean temperatures warm, and as atmospheric temperatures warm, those rates of evaporation of water vapor into the lower atmosphere are going to increase quite quickly,” Swain said during a briefing Friday. “We’ve now seen this happen at least four times this year in California — in San Francisco, …

Modelling indicates wet La Niña could be back in Australia for the fourth time in five years
1 year, 2 months ago

Modelling indicates wet La Niña could be back in Australia for the fourth time in five years

ABC  

Australia's most dominant climate driver, La Niña, has a strong chance of reappearing in 2024, shifting the odds to favour a wet year. Since 1950, La Niña years on average produced an increase in rain of 23 per cent, while El Niño years only brought a drop of 7 per cent, although south-east Australia observes a more significant dry swing …

A warm, wet El Niño winter is in store for California and much of the U.S.
1 year, 5 months ago

A warm, wet El Niño winter is in store for California and much of the U.S.

LA Times  

After a blistering summer of record heat, raging wildfires and unpredictable storms, federal scientists on Thursday said a warm, wet winter driven by El Niño is in store for California and much of the rest of the country. “The anticipated strong El Niño is the predominant climate factor driving the U.S. winter outlook this year,” said Jon Gottschalck, chief of …

El Niño is getting stronger, and odds are tilting toward another wet winter for California
1 year, 6 months ago

El Niño is getting stronger, and odds are tilting toward another wet winter for California

LA Times  

A photo from March shows the El Rico Pipe Yard in Corcoran submerged from powerful storms and the resurgence of Tulare Lake. “Right now, if you had to put money on it, the good money would probably be on a significantly wetter-than-average second half to winter in particular,” Swain said during a briefing Thursday, noting that those months are already …

Over 95% chance of El Nino conditions from January-March 2024: U.S. forecaster
1 year, 6 months ago

Over 95% chance of El Nino conditions from January-March 2024: U.S. forecaster

The Hindu  

There is a more than 95% chance that the El Niño weather pattern will continue through the Northern Hemisphere winter from January - March 2024, a U.S. government forecaster said on Thursday, bringing more extreme conditions. El Nino is a warming of ocean surface temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific, and can provoke extreme weather phenomena from wildfires to …

Global warming will make La Niña events longer and more frequent: study
1 year, 8 months ago

Global warming will make La Niña events longer and more frequent: study

Salon  

The El Niño–Southern Oscillation is a cycle which causes periodic variations in the winds and sea surface temperatures over the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean. Through both its warm El Niño phase and its cold La Niña phase, ENSO can cause flooding, heat waves, tropical storms and other types of extreme weather. The La Niña phase specifically is associated with unusually …

El Niño will likely continue into early 2024, driving even more hot weather
1 year, 8 months ago

El Niño will likely continue into early 2024, driving even more hot weather

NPR  

El Niño will likely continue into early 2024, driving even more hot weather Enlarge this image toggle caption David J. Phillip/AP David J. Phillip/AP More hot weather is expected for much of the United States in the coming months, federal forecasters warn, driven by a combination of human-caused climate change and the El Niño climate pattern. El Niño is a …

What is El Nino and what impact might it have?
1 year, 8 months ago

What is El Nino and what impact might it have?

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The UN’s World Meteorological Organisation has announced the return of the weather cycle El Nino, …

Here comes El Nino: It’s early, likely to be big, sloppy and add even more heat to a warming world
1 year, 9 months ago

Here comes El Nino: It’s early, likely to be big, sloppy and add even more heat to a warming world

Associated Press  

An early bird El Nino has officially formed, likely to be strong, warp weather worldwide and give an already warming Earth an extra kick of natural heat, meteorologists announced. “The onset of El Nino has implications for placing 2023 in the running for warmest year on record when combined with climate-warming background,” said University of Georgia meteorology professor Marshall Shepherd. …

Here comes El Nino: It's early, likely to be big, sloppy and add even more heat to a warming world
1 year, 9 months ago

Here comes El Nino: It's early, likely to be big, sloppy and add even more heat to a warming world

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “The onset of El Nino has implications for placing …

El Niño is likely returning, bringing danger for California and the world. ‘We need to be prepared’
1 year, 10 months ago

El Niño is likely returning, bringing danger for California and the world. ‘We need to be prepared’

LA Times  

The return of strong El Niño conditions could mean a second wet winter for California, among global impacts. El Niño is “the most important global form of climate variability, just given how much of the Earth it affects,” said Justin Mankin, a climate scientist at Dartmouth College. “The sloshing of sea surface temperatures totally reorganizes weather and climate around the …

El Niño is coming. Here's what that means for weather in the U.S.
1 year, 10 months ago

El Niño is coming. Here's what that means for weather in the U.S.

NPR  

El Niño is coming. Here's what that means for weather in the U.S. Enlarge this image toggle caption NOAA NOAA As hot as the Earth's weather has been in recent years, it's about to get hotter: El Niño is on the way, with warmer sea temperatures promising new weather extremes, U.S. and international forecasters say. Here's a quick guide to …

El Niño forecasting a hard task during unpredictable autumn, climate scientists say
1 year, 11 months ago

El Niño forecasting a hard task during unpredictable autumn, climate scientists say

ABC  

Autumn's susceptibility to unpredictable weather has the likelihood of an El Niño hanging in the balance, according to climate scientists. Key points: Autumn is the toughest season for predicting El Niño and La Niña The Bureau of Meteorology has issued an El Niño Watch for 2023 A small, unexpected weather event during the season could stop it in its tracks …

Science-wise: After Hottest Feb, Brace for Scorching Summer, Subpar Monsoon as El Nino Returns
2 years ago

Science-wise: After Hottest Feb, Brace for Scorching Summer, Subpar Monsoon as El Nino Returns

News 18  

The meteorologists have sounded the alarm. After the hottest February on record, it has to now brace for a sweltering summer while waiting for the monsoon rains which are likely to begin under the shadow of a dominating climate system – El Nino. But another worry that looms large is the return of El Nino – a global ocean phenomenon …

La Niña’s three-year reign across Australia finally ends, promising drier, hotter weather
2 years ago

La Niña’s three-year reign across Australia finally ends, promising drier, hotter weather

ABC  

After three years of dominating weather patterns around the globe, La Niña has now ended. La Niña — the cool phase of the eastern Pacific Ocean, which typically brings rain and floods to Australia on the ocean's warmer western edge — has been weakening for months, as evidenced by sea surface temperatures returning to normal along equatorial areas of the …

La Niña has ended and El Niño will form during hurricane season, forecasters say
2 years ago

La Niña has ended and El Niño will form during hurricane season, forecasters say

CNN  

CNN — After three consecutive years of an unusually stubborn pattern, La Niña has officially ended and El Niño is on the way, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Thursday. https://t.co/5zlzaZ1aZx pic.twitter.com/dXOLGmOP7I — NWS Climate Prediction Center March 9, 2023 The prediction center also wrote its forecast now favors “El Niño forming during summer 2023 and persisting through the …

Odds of El Niño returning to California are increasing. Would it bring even more rain?
2 years ago

Odds of El Niño returning to California are increasing. Would it bring even more rain?

LA Times  

Water courses along the concrete embankments of the Los Angeles River during a powerful storm in January. Longer-lead forecasts show an even stronger chance of El Niño developing from June to August — 55% — though the forecasts are “subject to high uncertainty associated with predictions this time of year.” California Winter storms ease drought conditions in California, report shows …

El Nino expected to return, likely to fuel spike in global temperatures: WMO
2 years ago

El Nino expected to return, likely to fuel spike in global temperatures: WMO

The Hindu  

A warming El Nino event may develop in the coming months, according to a new update from the World Meteorological Organization. The El Nino event may develop after three consecutive years of an unusually stubborn and protracted La Nina, which influenced temperature and rainfall patterns in different parts of the world, WMO said in a statement. Long-lead forecasts for June-August …

Climate crisis: El Nino may cause spike in temperatures, says WMO
2 years ago

Climate crisis: El Nino may cause spike in temperatures, says WMO

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi: A warming El Nino event may develop in the coming months after three consecutive years of La Nina, the World Meteorological Organization said on Wednesday while warning of a likely spike in temperatures globally this year. WMO secretary-general Petteri Taalas said, “If we do now enter an El Nino phase, this is likely to fuel another spike in …

Why epic California rains might not prevent a dangerous fire season ahead
2 years, 1 month ago

Why epic California rains might not prevent a dangerous fire season ahead

LA Times  

It’s something of a Golden State paradox: Dry winters can pave the way for dangerous fire seasons fueled by dead vegetation, but wet winters — like the one the state has seen so far — can also spell danger by spurring heaps of new growth that can later act as fuel for flames. “The dice are loaded for a weak …

‘Dry’ California got big rains. Was it really an epic weather forecasting fail?
2 years, 2 months ago

‘Dry’ California got big rains. Was it really an epic weather forecasting fail?

LA Times  

Gabriell Lambert cleans out her car, which was flooded by muddy water that came down a hillside in Studio City on Jan. 10. For instance, during La Niña seasons since the 1950s, coastal Southern California got just 80% of its average annual rainfall, while the San Francisco Bay Area got 93%, according to Null’s website. “The bottom line is that …

Will California’s extreme storms offset its years-long drought?
2 years, 2 months ago

Will California’s extreme storms offset its years-long drought?

Al Jazeera  

The US state has been hit by heavy rain and flooding, but experts warn it may not be enough to counteract climate change. Located on the West Coast of the United States, California — the country’s most populous state — has experienced a devastating, multiyear drought that has depleted reservoirs, forced officials to plead with residents to conserve water and …

La Niña is rapidly easing, the BOM says. But the prospect of El Niño has some worried. So what's next?
2 years, 2 months ago

La Niña is rapidly easing, the BOM says. But the prospect of El Niño has some worried. So what's next?

ABC  

It looks as though La Niña's three year grip as the prevailing climate driver for Australia's east coast could be over. For Australia, El Niño typically leads to drier and hotter conditions, while La Niña usually leads to cooler and wetter conditions. "That's another thing a lot of people don’t realise, that conditions in the Pacific don't have to be …

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