Scientists are warning of unprecedented extreme weather as El Niño’s arrival becomes more likely amid the highest ocean temperatures on record. Climate scientist Jennifer Francis said the combination of this year’s expected El Niño with an ocean heat wave in the North Pacific and Atlantic Ocean temperatures that are “off the charts” will cause chaos. El Niño occurs as water temperatures rise in the eastern tropical Pacific, a process that is underway and could result in cascading global impacts. Forecasters are monitoring the Niño 3.4 region, where water temperatures must rise to at least 0.9°F above normal for a three-month period for El Niño to be officially declared.
Different strengths of El Niño have different impacts. A strong El Niño will cause above-average winter precipitation in California, while a weaker version will bring drier-than-average conditions to the Ohio Valley, and parts of the Midwest. If it is strong, the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies will also experience drier conditions than average. El Niño also brings higher temperatures, leading to more rain than snow in many regions, and causes sinking air which can reduce hurricane activity. However, experts warn that the extreme warmth of the Atlantic may counteract El Niño’s effects on this year’s hurricane activity.
