AUSTIN (KXAN) — As we march through our hottest month of summer in Central Texas, we’re continuing to get a better idea of what to expect in the fall and upcoming winter.
The Climate Prediction Center just released their updated ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) forecast and for the first time they’re expecting a return to La Niña later this year.
And with three consecutive overlapping 3-month seasons expected to be in La Niña, a La Niña Watch has been issued.
Previous odds had either favored ENSO Neutral (neither La Niña or El Niño) or too brief a dip into La Niña conditions that wouldn’t warrant a definitive change in the climate pattern.
For the periods of September-November, October-December and November-January, La Niña is marginally favored over ENSO Neutral. This now means that fall and the beginning of winter would have sea surface temperatures in a region of the eastern Pacific Ocean that are cooler than average by at least 0.5º Celsius…