La Niña may be strengthening at record pace, with potentially dangerous consequences
[Via CEJournal]
With data acquired by satellite, this map depicts La Niña conditions in tones of blue spreading across the tropical Pacific Ocean. For a more detailed explanation of the map, please see NASA’s Earth Observatory Image of the Day.
See my update with comments from Klaus Wolter below.
By one measure, the tropical Pacific Ocean has plunged into La Niña conditions at a record pace over the past three months. The result: as of September 3, this La Niña is the second strongest on record for this time of year.
This is the judgment of Klaus Wolter of NOAA’s Earth System’s Research Laboratory, writing in a recent update.
If moderate to strong La Niña conditions persist, as scientists expect, the should alter weather patterns around the world, including over the United States. Already dry conditions in the Southwest could worsen, further depleting lakes Mead and Powell on the Colorado River.
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Probably why our summer/early fall has been so rotten. La Ninas bring a lot more rain/snow to this region. It looks to be a miserable winter here but at least we will have water. Not like the South.
