“But with weather there is no guarantee”.
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Latest seasonal computer forecast model data is now even more robust with the projected strength of El Nino by the winter with several models now forecasting near- to record-breaking strength.
Scientists are releasing encouraging news on the drought plaguing California.
Phillips said the last really strong one was in the winter of 1997-98, when Winnipeggers experienced a brown Christmas.
Global forecasters have been heightening calls for a stronger and longer El Nino. Some were shut down for most of this past season due to lack of snowfall.
Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology announced in May that El Nino thresholds have been reached in the tropical Pacific from the first time since March 2010.
“I wouldn’t say that winter is cancelled but it really often means a balmy winter”, he said, noting that in the past six decades there have been six El Ninos that have had a real impact on winter weather. According to recent National Weather Service studies, winter precipitation in the Ohio Valley was below average seven of 10 years when an El Nino occurred. “It’s important to monitor to see whether we continue to see a strengthening El Nino”.
Scientists said sea surface temperatures anomalies in June exceeded 1º Celsius across the central and eastern Pacific Ocean.
After a cooler and wetter than average spring and summer, El Nino may bring a major change to warmer and drier by the fall.
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Warming sea surface temperatures coupled with a westerly wind burst are telltale signs that El Nino is revving its engines and ready to pack a powerful punch.
