Weak El Nino Still Possible Later This Year, U.S. Says
By Brian K. Sullivan Oct 9, 2014 6:00 AM PT
A weak El Nino might still form in the next 30 to 60 days across the equatorial Pacific, the U.S. Climate Prediction Center said.
Sea surface temperatures in the region have been above-average through September. Changes to the atmosphere, which also have to happen for an El Nino to be declared, haven’t developed consistently.
“The lack of coherent atmospheric and oceanic features indicates the continuation” of neutral conditions, the College Park, Maryland-based center said in an advisory today. “The consensus of forecasters indicates a 2-in-3 chance of El Nino during the November 2014-January 2015 season,” in line with earlier outlooks.
A “watch” is in place for the event that can change weather patterns around the world, including bringing a milder winter to the northern U.S. and drier conditions across parts of Australia, Indonesia and northeastern Brazil.
Computer forecast models predict an El Nino could form sometime from October to December and will be weak if it does, the center said. Earlier this week, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology also said there was still a chance an El Nino could form by the end of the year.
To contact the reporter on this story: Brian K. Sullivan in Boston at bsullivan10@bloomberg.net
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