El Niño Could Be Strongest In 50 Years
July 14, 2015 In the latest AccuWeather report, Brett Anderson, senior meteorologist with AccuWeather says El Niño has strengthened over the past few months.
“Confidence continues to grow that this El Niño will be one of the stronger El Niños over the past 50 years,” Anderson said in the report. “El Niño typically reaches its peak during the December through February period.”
Weather modeling also indicates this year’s El Niño could be near record levels. Modeling also indicates that a strongly positive Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) – irregularly warm waters off the West Coast — could also coincide with El Niño.
“We really have yet to see such a strong forecasted El Niño paired with such a strong PDO. The PDO could promote a ridge of high pressure over the West, especially the Northwest, for extended periods of time during the winter,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Ben Noll said.
If El Niño occurs with PDO, it is unlikely to end the current drought in California.
“Current rain deficits are way too large,” Senior Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said. “Even if California receives the rain that fell in 1997-98, it will not come close to ending the long-term drought.”
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