A monster is coming! Forecasters warn El Nino is getting stronger and could cause ‘mayhem’ but say it will bring relief to drought-stricken California
Conditions bear a resemblance to the huge El Niño event of 1997-98
Forecast says El Nino conditions are likely to last another nine months
In previous El Niño events, California had 150 to 200% increase in rainfall
It can trigger heavy rains and floods in South America and scorching weather in Asia and as far away as east Africa
By ELLIE ZOLFAGHARIFARD
DAILYMAIL.COM
6 August 2015
Exceptionally warm water moving from the western Pacific Ocean towards South America has caused El Niño to get even stronger in recent weeks.
In fact, scientists claim conditions in the Pacific are now as intense as they were in the summer of 1997, when a massive El Niño was brewing.
While this could be good news for drought-stricken areas such as California, researchers warn it may also lead to torrential and hazardous downpours elsewhere.
El Nino events tend to warm the Earth’s atmosphere by supressing the upwelling of cold water from the ocean that can absorb excess heat.
But as well as bringing relief, El Niño can have devastating consequences for agriculture.
It can trigger heavy rains and floods in South America and scorching weather in Asia and as far away as east Africa.
‘We have not seen a signal like this in the tropical Pacific since 1997,’ said Bill Patzert, a climatologist at Nasa.
‘It’s no sure bet that we will have a strong El Niño, but the signal is getting stronger. What happens in August through October should make or break this event.’
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