Historic weather on the way
Fox weather news as well as the WMO (“World Meteorological Organization”) announced that the current visit from El Nino has an 83% chance of extending its stay through fall and winter and into the spring of 2027.
It has a good possibility of becoming the strongest El Nino on record since scientists and weather organizations began tracking these weather events in 1950. These events probably existed before the 1950 date, however technology and understanding had not developed to comprehend what was taking place.
Equatorial Pacific waters bring about El Nino weather patterns when water temperatures rise a degree or two, however this year the Pacific Ocean waters are at 5.49 degrees above average and this is being called a “Super EL Nino.” Warmer waters are the energy and fuel that produces disruptive rainfall patterns and higher global temperatures. This has caused a global climate event with weather disasters, including record-breaking heat, floods and severe weather.
The Pacific has seen a number of rare hurricanes, including three in Hawaii and even one in Southern California and several along the Mexican coast.
Our Atlantic has been quiet this summer as wind shear has kept air from rising to form hurricanes. We did have one storm form in the Gulf of Mexico this past week that hit the Panhandle of Florida and even brought rain to Southwestern Pennsylvania. We measured 2.36 inches of rain here in Uniontown and 1 to 3 inches was widespread through the region.
Looking ahead the west and south should be cool and wet while mild and dry weather should favor the north and east, including the Ohio Valley. The west should see plenty of much needed snow to help with their water shortage problems while we should see snowfall below average.
This does not mean we will miss out on any cold and snow, however it should be a lot different than last winters prolonged snow and cold.
Across the planet over 400,000 people died from the relentless droughts and heat this past summer and the agricultural problems associated with the weather patterns made for food insecurity in much of the under-developed portions of the world.
Here across Southwestern Pennsylvania we saw ample rains and are currently running 8 inches above normal for the year so far. Temperatures have averaged a degree and a half above normal.
Our trees will be at their peak color later this week in the mountains and then spread into the lower elevations for Mother Nature’s annual fall spectacular.
After a bit of frost this weekend should be mild and mostly dry for much of the rest of October.