After a period dominated by El Niño, the globe can expect the La Niña weather pattern in the second half of 2024, a U.S. government weather forecaster said on Thursday.
El Niño is currently showing signs of waning, according to reports. The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) stated in its monthly forecast that there is a 55% chance that La Niña conditions will develop between June and August.
What is La Niña?
La Niña follows El Niño in a recurring cycle known as the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). While El Niño brings warm water to the Pacific Ocean’s surface, causing higher temperatures and heavy rain, the La Niña weather pattern cools the water, resulting in lower global temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns. This transition could have significant impacts on global climate trends.
The CPC also indicated that a transition from El Niño to ENSO-neutral is likely by April-June 2024, with increasing odds of La Niña developing afterward. This suggests that the world’s weather could see a substantial shift in the latter half of the year.
What to Expect During La Niña
During La Niña years, weather patterns across the globe can be affected. Typically, these periods bring higher than average rainfall in certain areas, including Southeast Asia and Australia, while the southwestern United States and parts of South America may experience drier conditions.
This could mean changes in weather patterns, including shifts in storm tracks, rainfall patterns, and temperatures across the United States and other parts of the world. It can also lead to a severe hurricane season. This weather pattern causes the jet stream to move northward while weakening over the eastern Pacific.
Image Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Image Description: El Niño shifts the Pacific jet stream southward, leading to wetter Southern U.S. winters and drier, warmer conditions in the North.
The transition from El Niño to La Niña is not unusual; it’s part of a natural cycle. However, the impacts can be wide-ranging, affecting everything from agriculture to water supply and even energy production. As such, understanding these patterns and their potential effects is crucial for planning and preparation.
Image Source: Yahoo News Singapore
