SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — From worsening wildfires to eroding coastlines and crop losses, changing climate patterns are reshaping life across the Central and Southern California coast and experts say the effects could intensify as the region transitions into a La Niña phase later this year.
Currently, the region is in a neutral climate pattern, a transitional period between El Niño and La Niña. “Think of this neutral phase as a climate reset or a transition period,” Chief Meterologist Mackenzie Lake explained, noting that the last El Niño brought wetter conditions to California, fueling storms and floods. But that wet season is likely to give way to a drier, more fire-prone La Niña by late summer.
A La Niña pattern often means stronger winds pushing warm ocean water westward, allowing cooler water to rise to the surface. This typically leads to drier weather across Southern California, heightening wildfire danger…