EL
NIÑO ON TRACK TO INFLUENCE U.S. WINTER, NOAA REPORTS
Forecasters Monitor Warming Ocean Temperatures
November
7, 2002 — Climate and weather experts from NOAA
today said El
Niño remains on track to influence weather across the United
States during the upcoming winter season. Currently, NOAA scientists classify
the El Niño’s intensity as moderate, but are watching closely
for any further strengthening. “Following the recent trends, we
expect the waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific to continue to warm,
and mature El Niño conditions will prevail through February 2003.
Although an increase in the strength of this El Niño is possible,
we don’t expect it to compare with the 1997-98 version. Also, the
global impacts should generally be weaker” said Vernon Kousky, a
meteorologist at the NOAA Climate
Prediction Center. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger
view of El Niño conditions as of Nov. 4, 2002. Click
here for latest conditions. Please credit “NOAA.”)
NOAA issued
its first outlook for the upcoming winter season
on Sept. 12 and still asserts those projected conditions are on course.
The nation can expect drier-than-average conditions in states in the Ohio
Valley and northern Rockies; wetter-than-average conditions, with increased
storm activity across the South; and warmer-than-average conditions across
the north, including southern and southeastern Alaska.
NOAA will
update its official national Winter 2002-2003 outlook and El Niño’s
status in December.
The CPC issues
seasonal climate outlooks from one to 13 months in advance. The CPC is
one of the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Prediction, which is
a part of NOAA National Weather Service. NOAA Weather Service is the primary
source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and
its territories, and operates the most advanced weather and flood warning
and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property
and enhance the national economy.
Relevant
Web Sites
NOAA's
Climate Prediction Center
El
Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Diagnostic Discussion
El
Niño to Play Role in Nation’s Fall, Winter Weather
Weekly
El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Update
Most
Recent 2 Months Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly Animation
El
Niño and La Niña-related Winter Features over North America
NOAA's El
Niño Theme Page
NOAA's El Niño Home Page
CLIMATE FACTORS HELPING TO SHAPE WINTER 2001-2002
NOAA's CURRENT SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE
MAPS
ENSO
Fact Sheet
ENSO
Frequently Asked Questions
ENSO
Tutorial
ENSO
Recent Events
Sea
Surface Temperature Outlook
ENSO
Impacts by Region
NOAA's
Storm Watch Get the latest severe weather information
across the USA
NOAA's Drought Information Center
Media
Contact:
Carmeyia
Gillis, NOAA Climate Prediction
Center, (301) 763-8000 ext. 7163 or John
Leslie, NOAA National Weather Service,
(301) 713-0622
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