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SAN FRANCISCO — El Niño has significantly strengthened and will continue to do so as we head into the upcoming winter.
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That is the latest word from the Climate Prediction Center which monitors the oceans temperature and its effects across the globe.
RELATED: Very strong El Nino has formed. Here’s how it will impact Bay Area and beyond
Sea surface temperatures in the equatorial pacific are 1.2C above average leading to moderate El Niño conditions currently.
Sea surface temperatures are expected to continue their warming trend, and the CPC forecasts a 54% chance of a very strong El Niño this winter (meaning sea surface temperatures are more than 2C warmer than average).
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The strength of an El Niño influences where storms travel across the country giving California a better than average chance for a rainy winter.
RELATED: El Niño: Be Prepared
Of the last four winters where we had very strong El Niño conditions, two saw higher than average rainfall, one saw average rainfall and one saw below average rainfall.
Meaning odds with a very strong El Niño favors a wetter than normal winter later this year, but it is certainly not guaranteed as each winter is unique.
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