NOAA now gives the El Niño—a warmer than average expanse of the sea's surface off the west coast of South America—that's formed this summer a "greater than 85% chance" of lasting through 2015. As most weather watchers know, El Niños often produce wet winters. Take the big El Niño of '97-'98 that ushered in 20-30 inches of rain along the California's coast.
But there's a kicker. Wetter fall and winter weather is much more likely if the El Niño is a strong one. Strong is an El Niño that averages 1.5º C above normal for three months. The latest Niño index is just 1.2º C (warmer than normal). Not to panic. NOAA has been observing changes in wind patterns—a weaker westerly flow at the equator—coupled with warmer waters moving east that point to a strengthening El Niño. According to NOAA, the majority of forecasts call for this El Niño to peak at 1.5 C or higher by early winter.
The downside: we may have to endure another dry summer. Anyway if you don't own real estate in Mammoth yet, it might be a good time to shop.
