Could Another El Nino Be Coming?

Sea surface temperatures are on the rise, with some places seeing four to five degrees above normal while Northern Pacific temperatures are rapidly declining. That could mean an El Nino is in the cards for this year.

USDA Meteorologist Eric Luebehusen said according to the Climate Prediction Center and International Research Institute…

“They’re pretty much putting this at about a 50 percent chance of El Nino by the fall which is relatively high confidence on their part for that far out.”

Luebehusen said that’s based on forecasts for the next 6-9 months.

If there is an El Nino that impacts the U.S., Luebehusen said it’s unclear what will mean for sure.

“It can get you some drier weather heading up into the Northwest as well as some warm weather across the Northern tier of the United States but it far from guarantees it.”

The most recent El Nino was 2015 into 2016 and they usually take 2-7 years for strong patterns to return.