La Nina winter 2022-23 could mean tornado outbreaks, blizzards and everything in between
Water temperatures over the eastern and central Pacific determine the state of La Niña or El Niño.
Do you remember the last two winters? Well, if forecasts for a rare-triple dip La Niña are accurate, the country is in store for more weather extremes.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released an updated outlook Thursday that said there was a 91 percent chance the pattern would be in control through November and a 54 percent chance through March 2023.
A substantial amount of cooler-than-average water in the east-central Pacific and long-range climate models give forecasters confidence that the La Niña pattern will continue.
NOAA Water temperatures estimation
(NOAA)
During a typical La Niña winter, the southern tier of the country tends to be drier and warmer, and the northern half is usually colder and snowier than usual.
On the other side of the spectrum, snowstorms and blizzards are usually common where deep moisture meets frigid air.
Communities from Maine through the Plains and to the Pacific Northwest reported record-breaking snowfall events during the past winter and there is nothing in the outlook that says the extreme events won’t happen in the northern tier again.
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center believes the La Niña three-peat will be only the third time on record for the occurrence.
Usually, the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, or what is commonly called the ENSO, tends to act more seesaw-like, flipping between La Niña and El Niño more frequently.
Long-term model guidance shows high chances of La Niña drastically waning during the spring.
A diminishing La Niña would put the world in neutral status until ocean temperatures and complex pressure patterns decide the future of the state of the ENSO.
NOAA ENSO Forecast showing the possibilities of La Nina, El Nino and neutral status.
(FOX Weather)
La Nina winter 2022-23 could mean tornado outbreaks, blizzards and everything in between
NOAA says La Niña is favored to continue through the Northern Hemisphere’s winter.
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