U.S. Lowers Odds of El Nino Forming by End of Year
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-08-07/u-s-lowers-odds-of-el-nino-forming-by-end-of-year.htmlAugust 07, 2014 at 11:54 AM
“At this time, the consensus of forecasters expects El Nino to emerge during August-October and to peak at a weak strength during the late fall and early winter,” the center said in an updated outlook.
El Nino can crimp the Atlantic hurricane season, bring more rain across the southern U.S. during the winter and warm some northern states. It can affect rubber, sugar, coffee and natural gas markets worldwide.
The phenomenon, which occurs every three to five years, often causes heavier rain from southern Brazil to Argentina and drier conditions across Southeast Asia and Indonesia.
The climate center is maintaining its El Nino watch, which means conditions are favorable for the pattern to form.
Last month, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology also reduced its odds of an El Nino forming, to about 50 percent from at least 70 percent.
Both agencies said any El Nino that does form probably won’t be a strong one.
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