An Action-Packed End to Hurricane Possible Thanks to La Niña Emergence

Earlier in the week, we looked at how the anticipation of the arrival of La Niña will impact the upcoming winter season. But how will this climate phase drive the remainder of the Atlantic hurricane season? Here is what you need to know.

La Niña Emergence Could Influence More Than Just the Winter Weather

The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) out of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently issued a La Niña watch. What does this mean for the global weather patterns?

The CPC issues this watch to indicate that La Niña conditions are expected within the next six months. However, it takes time for the phase to be officially declared in control. La Niña is only official after five straight months of negative sea surface temperatures.

La Niña becomes the dominant weather phase when sea surface temperatures in the eastern portion of the Pacific Ocean trend cooler than average for this lengthy period. The impact of La Niña is the strongest during the winter season, influencing the storm tracks across the U.S., as well as general temperatures.

The uncertainty of the winter season as a whole makes it difficult for forecasters to offer long-range predictions. However, the presence of a likely La Niña pattern is one of the few atmospheric elements that can accurately give an idea about how the season will develop. For example, La Niña's power translates to changes in the jet stream, impacting snowfall patterns for much of the country.

Weaker La Niña Would Translate to Fewer Impacts to Overall Weather