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Impending La Niña: Potential Weather Impacts Explained

Scientists have declared La Niña, which may cool ongoing record global heat and could trigger intense hurricanes this fall.
La Niña is coming. Here’s how it could change the weather.

The planet is officially on alert for La Niña, a climate pattern that could cool the current stretch of record global heat. This phenomenon is also likely to trigger intense Atlantic hurricanes this fall.

There’s a 70 percent chance La Niña will develop between August and October, with nearly an 80 percent likelihood it will persist through winter, according to a forecast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Regional Weather Extremes

The climate pattern linked to cool Pacific Ocean conditions would have widespread effects on weather extremes, opposite to what a strong El Niño pattern brought last winter. In the U.S., La Niña can cause drought in some regions and heavy snow in others, while globally, it may trigger drought in East Africa and floods in Indonesia.

However, there is some uncertainty about its impact due to a full year of record global temperatures and unprecedented ocean surface warmth.

Climate scientists are closely monitoring how La Niña’s global cooling influence will play out in the context of human-induced climate changes.

La Niña’s Global Effects

La Niña is known for fueling Atlantic tropical storm activity by reducing wind shear, creating conditions conducive to storm formation. The NOAA has revised its hurricane season forecast, now predicting around 25 named storms, including 12 hurricanes and six major hurricanes.

In the U.S., La Niña typically brings warm and dry conditions to the southern tier and wet, snowy conditions to the Pacific Northwest and northern Plains. Globally, it can cause floods in northern South America and Indonesia, and drought in East Africa, exacerbating the hunger crisis amid the civil war in Sudan.

Understanding La Niña

La Niña is a climate pattern where cool waters from the eastern Pacific well up to the surface, creating a pool of cooler-than-normal waters along the equator. Stronger tradewinds blow warm surface waters toward Asia, allowing colder waters to rise in the east.

This pattern shifts atmospheric forces, affecting weather conditions globally by altering normal flows of weather systems like heatwaves and storms.

La Niña vs. El Niño

El Niño is characterized by warmer temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific and weaker tradewinds. It often precedes La Niña, leading to a quick transition to cooler conditions.

Ongoing research aims to understand whether climate change is altering La Niña and El Niño behaviors. El Niño, which boosts planetary temperatures, recently contributed to the hottest conditions in over 100,000 years, closer to a critical warming threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels.

Potential Changes in La Niña

This episode of La Niña could be stronger due to unusual warmth in the western Pacific, intensifying its effects. Nathaniel Johnson, a NOAA scientist, suggests that the warm western Pacific could amplify La Niña’s impact.

Climate scientists will observe if La Niña can counteract recent global warming acceleration.

Duration of La Niña

La Niña typically lasts nine to 12 months but can sometimes extend up to three years. Long-term climate models suggest neutral conditions could set in next, but a two-year La Niña is possible.

Stronger preceding El Niño events tend to extend La Niña’s duration. After the strong El Niño of 2015-2016, weak La Niña conditions persisted for two years, while a weaker El Niño in 2018-2019 led to a rare “triple-dip” La Niña from 2020 to 2023.

Origin of the Name

The name La Niña, meaning “the girl” in Spanish, contrasts with El Niño, named after baby Jesus due to its occurrence around Christmas when Peruvian fishermen noticed unusually warm waters in the eastern Pacific.

Original Story at www.washingtonpost.com

Trending News

Mississippi River Faces Persistent Saltwater Intrusion, Region Seeks Long-Term Solutions



For the third consecutive year, the Mississippi River is experiencing significant saltwater intrusion, prompting local communities and environmental experts to search for sustainable solutions. This recurring issue arises as the river’s flow decreases, allowing saltwater to move upstream and threaten drinking water supplies. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is actively involved in addressing this problem, employing temporary measures like saltwater barriers to mitigate the impact on affected areas.



Saltwater infiltration poses serious risks to public health and agriculture, as freshwater sources become compromised. The situation is exacerbated by prolonged periods of drought, which have reduced freshwater flow in the Mississippi River. According to the National Weather Service, drought conditions have worsened due to climate change, increasing the frequency and severity of saltwater intrusion events.



Local authorities are collaborating with federal agencies to explore permanent solutions. Among the proposed strategies are enhanced levee systems and improved water management techniques. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating the feasibility of long-term infrastructure projects to prevent further saltwater encroachment. Additionally, community leaders are advocating for increased funding to support these initiatives and safeguard the region’s water resources.



The impact of saltwater intrusion extends beyond drinking water concerns, affecting local ecosystems and agricultural productivity. Farmers in the region have reported crop damage due to elevated salinity levels in irrigation water. The Natural Resources Conservation Service is working with farmers to implement adaptive practices, such as planting salt-tolerant crops and improving soil management techniques.



As the Mississippi River continues to face challenges from saltwater intrusion, stakeholders emphasize the importance of collaborative efforts and innovative solutions. The ongoing threat underscores the need for comprehensive planning and investment to protect one of America’s most vital waterways from the impacts of climate change and environmental stressors.

November 19, 2024



Environmental activists have raised concerns over the fossil fuel sector’s significant impact on COP29, the latest United Nations Climate Change Conference. Activists argue that the industry’s presence diverts focus from critical climate actions.



The conference, designed to promote global climate agreements, faces criticism for allowing fossil fuel companies to participate extensively. Environmental groups claim these companies undermine efforts to reduce carbon emissions and transition to renewable energy sources.



According to Climate Action Network, fossil fuel representatives have increased their lobbying activities, aiming to weaken climate policies. These industries allegedly influence negotiations, leading to watered-down commitments that fail to address the urgency of climate change effectively.



Experts suggest that the influence of these companies stems from financial contributions and longstanding relationships with decision-makers. Critics argue that this affects the conference’s ability to enforce meaningful climate change regulations.



During the event, several protests highlighted the need for transparency and a stronger focus on sustainable energy solutions. Activists are calling for increased participation of renewable energy stakeholders in future conferences.



The controversy surrounding fossil fuel involvement at COP29 underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing industrial interests with the global imperative to combat climate change.



November 19, 2024