The El Nino weather pattern which has been in place over the winter is likely to continue over the next few months. El Nino is large-scale ocean-atmosphere climate interaction linked to a periodic warming in sea surface temperatures across the central and east-central Equatorial Pacific.
There are signs now that a La Nina weather pattern may develop later in the summer. La Nina is characterized by cooler than average sea-surface temperatures across the central and east-central Pacific Ocean.
While an El Nino pattern has kept the last several months with warmer and dryer than average conditions across much of the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes, a La Nina pattern would likely mean a much more active weather pattern. A typical La Nina pattern for the Ohio Valley could increase the risk of severe weather, flooding and if it last through the winter, it could increase the risk of larger winter storms. It is too early to determine whether La Nina will be a common household phrase by this winter but it will be something that meteorologists will be monitoring in the coming months.
For now, after a quick warm-up to end March, a cooler weather pattern looks to arrive to start out April. Temperatures are expected to be well below average for the first weekend of the month with the chilly air sticking around into early next week. However, spring overall is expected to be above average as far as temperatures so expect warmer weather to quickly return after next week.
If El Nino can hold into the summer, then our weather pattern would likely be hot and dry. But if La Nina can take over, then we could be in store for a wet, stormy late summer and fall.
Eric Elwell is WHIO StormCenter 7 Chief Meteorologist. Contact him at eric.elwell@coxinc.com or follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
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