The following message was distributed today on the U.W.
climateupdate listserve (climateupdate@u.washington.edu):
The NOAA Climate Prediction Center announced today that a La Nina has officially developed in the tropical Pacific.
The development of the La Nina increases the odds for continued above normal precipitation in the Pacific Northwest. The development has also led to modification of the NOAA Climate Prediction Center's seasonal outlook for temperature. Previous CPC outlooks called for slightly above average temperatures, reflecting a +10 year trend in above average temperatures for the region. The current 90 day (Feb-Mar-April) CPC outlook now calls for near-average temperatures.
For more information on the announcement, see the NOAA press release:
www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2006/s2572.htm
For more information on La Nina, see:
www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_...ostuff/ensofaq.shtml
For more information on how La Nina can affect the Pacific Northwest, see:
www.cses.washington.edu/cig/pnwc/clvariability.shtml
Lara Whitely Binder
Outreach Specialist
Climate Impacts Group
Center for Science in the Earth System
University of Washington
Phone: (206) 616-5349
Fax: (206) 616-5775
lwb123@u.washington.edu
www.cses.washington.edu/cig/
