El Niño is looming. Here’s what it means for weather and the world.
Earth is under an “El Niño watch” as scientists eye signs that the climate pattern is developing. Its arrival could mean significant impacts worldwide, including a push toward levels of global warming that climate scientists have warned could be devastating. Since March, a rapid increase in average ocean temperatures has been helping to fuel speculation that El Niño is imminent. The pattern could mark a quick departure from an unusually extended spell of El Niño’s inverse counterpart, La Niña, which scientists say ended in February. … Some of the most severe El Niños have delivered heavy rainfall and mudslides to Southern California, for example. Impacts can vary depending on the strength of an El Niño, however. Larger temperature and wind anomalies mean a stronger El Niño.
Related articles:
- Washington Post: Ocean temperatures are surging to new highs. What it means for the planet.
- San Francisco Chronicle: California weather shift under way. Here’s a timeline of May impacts
- Tahoe Daily Tribune: Rain, snow, cold temps return next week to Lake Tahoe