El Niño Returns

El Niño is set to return with a vengeance. According to the Telegraph, "U.S. government scientists have said that the system, in which the periodic warming of water in the tropical Pacific Ocean can affect weather around the world, is close to making a return as sea temperatures climb above their normal level." In June, the surface temperature of a narrow band of Pacific Ocean water climbed 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit above normal, and warmer than usual readings up to 975 feet below the surface have been recorded in other tropical regions. That means we can look forward to a wetter than usual summer, particularly in the mountains, as well as more Eastern Pacific hurricanes although Atlantic hurricanes should drop. The phenomenon is expected to strengthen over the next few months and last through winter 2009-2010.