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Wet June in Reno could be El Nino

Posted by: Maven on June 16, 2009 at 7:18 am

From the Silicon Valley Mercury News:

Northern Nevada’s unusual cool, wet weather in June could be related to an El Nino forming in the Pacific Ocean, regional climate experts said. But whether the ocean condition will bring winter storms to build the Sierra snowpack and ease the drought remains to be seen.

An El Nino is evidenced by warming of surface water temperatures near the equator. Its opposite, La Nina, is characterized by cooler water temperatures. Both can influence weather patterns.

Kelly Redmond with the Western Regional Climate Center in Reno said the El Nino formed quickly. “It kind of took me by surprise,” he told the Reno Gazette-Journal.

The waters began to warm in May, with conditions shifting this month toward El Nino. The federal Climate Prediction Center forecast said the warming trend could continue into August. Experts said El Ninos typically form later in the year, and the early arrival could signal a strong one.

Read more from the Silicon Valley Mercury News by clicking here.

June 16, 2009 · Filed Under Drought, Weather & Snowpack

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