Countries are racing to prepare for extreme weather later this year as the world tips into an El Nino — a natural climate phenomenon that fuels tropical cyclones in the Pacific and boosts rainfall and flood risk in parts of the Americas.
On Thursday, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration declared that an El Nino is now underway. The past three years have been dominated by the cooler La Nina pattern.
"We're in unprecedented territory," said Michelle L'Heureux, a meteorologist with NOAA's Climate Prediction Center. It forms when the trade winds blowing east-to-west along the equatorial Pacific slow down or reverse as air pressure changes, although scientists are not entirely sure what kicks off the cycle.
This build-up of warm water in the eastern Pacific also transfers heat high into the atmosphere through convection, generating thunderstorms. During an El Nino, the southern United States experiences cooler and wetter weather, while parts of the U.S. West and Canada are warmer and drier.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
2024 WEC Schedule: Sebring Out, Circuit of the Americas returnsNew-look eight-race schedule also includes Qatar, Imola.
Read more »
Dolls of Horror Market descends on the Wonderland of the Americas this weekendIn celebration of World Doll Day, Kings of Horror and Wonderrland of the Americas will host an event themed on dolls from horror movies. SanAntonio SATX SanAntonioTX ThingsToDoInSanAntonio HorrorFamily horror HorrorCommunity
Read more »
It’s official: World enters El Niño climate patternThe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has declared the world has transitioned out of a triple-dip La Niña and has entered an El Niño climate pattern for the first time since 2019.
Read more »
El Niño has officially arrived, signaling a warmer world and possibly a wetter SoCalThere is an 84% chance the system will be of moderate strength, and a 56% chance it will become a strong event at its peak, forecasters said.
Read more »
4,500 sailors and Marines return to San Diego after seven-month deployment to Indo-PacificThe Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group travelled more than 47,000 miles and conducted several joint exercises with U.S. allies
Read more »
Experience Baby Otter Adorableness, Times Three, at the Aquarium of the PacificAdmire Elle, Bee, and Cee, three young rescued otters, at the AquariumPacific, their new LBC home.
Read more »