GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A strong El Niño is likely to have a large influence on the upcoming winter in West Michigan.
WHAT IS AN EL NIÑO?
El Niño happens when warm Pacific Ocean waters near South America drive changes to the atmospheric pattern, affecting global temperatures and precipitation distribution. An El Niño happens roughly every two to seven years in a cycle.
El Niño measurements are currently strong, with water temperatures in the equatorial Pacific significantly above average. El Niño is likely to intensify leading into December and water temperatures will continue to climb before the phase weakens slightly into the back half of the winter season.
WHAT IMPACTS WILL EL NIÑO HAVE IN WEST MICHIGAN?
It’s likely to be a slow start to winter locally. Quiet and relatively mild weather is projected into December.
During past El Niño winters, temperatures have been regularly above average by several degrees December through February and that will likely hold true once again. Temperatures are expected to hover 3 to 5 degrees warmer than average in West Michigan over the course of the winter…