Climate scientists at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) announced today that El Nino is growing stronger and could bring much needed snow to California this winter. They are so confident with their prediction that they are saying that El Nino is close to 100 percent, with simulations suggesting it could exceed the historic 1997-1998 season.
However, IRI scientists said global warming has made it difficult to predict an El Nino event. Last spring, models predicted similar El Niño drought-busting conditions. California went on to see the driest January in 40 years last winter.
“The difference is that this year an El Nino is already in place, with both ocean and atmosphere participating in the coupled climate phenomenon,” said IRI’s Chief Forecaster Tony Barnston.
If the conditions continue on this trend, then California and most of the Northern Hemisphere would be in for a very deep winter.
