El Niño Ends and La Niña Is Coming. What Does That Mean for Weather?

The recent El Niño event, which lasted from June 2023 to May 2024, has officially ended. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that the Pacific Ocean is now transitioning to a La Niña pattern. This shift is expected to bring cooler-than-average temperatures to much of the United States, and the effects could last for a year or more. El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of a naturally occurring climate pattern called the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). El Niño, which is characterized by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, typically brings wetter and warmer conditions to the southern United States, while La Niña, with its cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures, often leads to drier and cooler conditions in the same region. The transition to La Niña could bring cooler temperatures across much of the country, especially in the northern tier states. However, the exact impact of La Niña on weather patterns can vary depending on the year and the specific region. For example, some parts of the country might experience a wetter-than-average season, while others might experience a drier-than-average season. The effects of La Niña on weather patterns are not limited to the United States. It can also influence rainfall, temperature, and other weather conditions around the world. For example, La Niña can lead to increased rainfall in Australia and Indonesia, while it can lead to drought in parts of South America. The NOAA expects La Niña conditions to develop and persist throughout the fall and winter, with a possibility of continuing into the spring of 2025. However, it is still too early to say definitively what the full impact of La Niña will be. The agency will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed.

Summary

"The end of El Niño and the emergence of La Niña mark a significant shift in global weather patterns. This transition could bring cooler temperatures across the United States, but the specific impacts on different regions and weather conditions remain uncertain. The NOAA will continue to monitor the development of La Niña and provide updates on its potential effects in the coming months."

Updated at: 06.16.2024