Temperatures trending towards El Nino winter in Seattle
Oct 6, 2014, 4:25 PM | Updated: 4:36 pm
With expected warmer temperatures, the average snow level will tend to be higher this winter, says National Weather Service Meteorologist Ted Buehner. (Reader file photo)
(Reader file photo)
After a warm summer, fall weather has arrived and winter is just a few months away.
The latest regional winter weather outlook from the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center is based on what the central and eastern tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures are doing. Right now, they are close to average, but trending toward warming for expected weak El Nino conditions this winter season.
Historically, El Nino brings warmer than normal temperatures to the Pacific Northwest and near or a bit below normal precipitation. The latest outlook indicates increased odds on warmer-than-normal temperatures and increased chances of below normal precipitation for the entire winter season.
Does that mean that it will be warmer and drier all winter? No. It means that over the long run, there is a greater chance that temperatures will average out to be warmer than normal and precipitation will be below average.
With expected warmer temperatures, the average snow level will tend to be higher and will likely translate into a below average mountain snow pack.
El Ninos tend to have fewer heavy rain and flood events, wind storms and lowland snow events. Yet, some El Nino events can be quite active. Of the top 10 snowiest winters in Seattle, three of them were during El Nino winters. The slow developing El Nino winter of 2006-07 resulted in major flooding in early November and the Hanukkah Eve Wind Storm in mid-December.
It is important to prepare for adverse winter weather now, before the wind blows, the snow flies, and the rivers rise. Here are a few key resources to help you get ready for this winter – at home, in your vehicle, and at work or school.
www.ready.gov
takewinterbystorm.org
www.emd.wa.gov
