El Nino 2023
The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a climate pattern that occurs every few years in the tropical Pacific Ocean. ENSO events can have a significant impact on weather and climate patterns around the world.
In May 2023, the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued an El-Nino Watch, which means that there is a 60% chance that El-Nino conditions will develop during the summer of 2023.
The CPC’s latest forecast, released on June 8, 2023, indicates that there is a 90% chance of El Niño conditions developing during the summer of 2023 and persisting into the winter of 2023-2024. The forecast also indicates that there is a 56% chance that El Nino will be strong at its peak.
A strong El-Nino event can have a number of impacts on weather and climate patterns around the world. In the United States,
Strong El Nino can lead to:
Increased rainfall in the southwestern United States and southern California
Drought conditions in the southern Plains and Midwest
Warmer-than-average temperatures across the country
Increased hurricane activity in the Atlantic Ocean
In other parts of the world, a strong El-Nino can lead to:
Flooding in Australia and Indonesia
Drought conditions in Africa and South America
Warmer-than-average temperatures in the Arctic
Increased tropical cyclone activity in the Pacific Ocean
The CPC will continue to monitor the ENSO situation and will provide updates as needed.
