An El Niño weather phenomenon could develop in the next month or so, the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center said Thursday. But will it bring enough rain to ease drought in California and the Southwest? Unfortunately, the center said, even though the effect probably will last into next spring, it "will likely remain weak." In a blog post about the monthly forecast, NOAA said that’s “essentially unchanged” from the previous month’s prediction.
In an El Niño, surface waters in the Pacific warm, and that can bring heavy rains to the United States. In September, NASA said two Kelvin waves — areas of higher sea levels indicating warmer waters — were moving across the Pacific at the equator toward South America. In its post Thursday, NOAA said a Kelvin wave over the past week was moving warmer water to the eastern Pacific.
IN-DEPTH
- These Satellite Pics Show Just How Dry California Is
- October Brings Forecast for More Drought in the West
- Last Shot at El Nino? New Kelvin Waves Cross Pacific\