LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The likelihood of La Niña developing this fall is increasing and that could bring challenges for the Las Vegas valley.
The Climate Prediction Center said there is now a 71% chance La Niña will form between October and December. That is when the Pacific Ocean’s equatorial waters cool enough to shift global weather patterns, often sending wetter weather to the Pacific Northwest and Ohio Valley, and keeping the southern U.S. drier and warmer.
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By December through February, the odds drop to about 54%, meaning this year’s La Niña could be weak and short.
What La Niña means for the Las Vegas valley
La Niña moves the polar jet stream, which often means a wetter and cooler winter for the northern half of the country and a drier winter for the southern states, including the desert southwest.
That is not great news locally. Las Vegas is already behind on rain, picking up just 2.05 inches so far this year compared to the normal 2.96 inches.
Hurricane season and other impacts
La Niña also tends to fuel a more active Atlantic hurricane season by reducing wind shear that typically disrupts storms. So far, there have been six named storms this year, but only one hurricane reached major strength.
Still neutral for now
For now, NOAA said ENSO-neutral conditions remain, meaning neither El Niño nor La Niña is currently in place. Sea-surface temperatures are a mix of cooler and warmer waters, but models suggest they are trending cooler…