El Niño predicted to start in four to eight weeks
Digital Reporter
Friday, October 10, 2014, 4:32 PM - El Niño is forecast to begin in the next 1-2 months and last into the spring of 2015 in the Northern Hemisphere, according to a Thursday statement released by the National Atmospheric Oceanic Administration (NOAA).
The weather event has been making headlines months, despite the fact that meteorologists now predict this year's El Niño will be 'weak' in nature.
"Most models predict El Niño to develop during October-December 2014 and to continue into early 2015," NOAA's Climate Prediction Center said in its Thursday statement.
"The consensus of forecasters is a 2-in-3 chance of El Niño during the November 2014-January 2015 season. This El Niño will likely remain weak ... throughout its duration."
The most current models differ from predictions made earlier in the year, when some predicted we could see a strong El Niño, similar to the one observed in 1997-1998.
RELATED: Read a detailed analysis of El Nino by Weather Network meteorologist Scott Sutherland
WHAT IS EL NINO?
In a normal year strong, prevailing trade winds blow westward, dragging warm surface waters across the Pacific to Australia and Indonesia -- but every few years the trade winds slacken or change direction, causing ocean water to warm up.
The warmer water heats the moist air above it, making it buyoant enough to form clouds and storms. This can influence weather patterns on a global scale -- and it can do so for for many months.
HOW WILL EL NINO IMPACT 2014/2015 WINTER WEATHER PATTERNS?
See a detailed analysis from Weather Network meteorologist Dr. Doug Gillham here:
