NewsLocal News

Actions

El Niño forming in equatorial Pacific this winter

Posted at 1:33 PM, Nov 20, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-20 15:33:51-05

Latest information from NOAA and the Climate Prediction Center is a weak El Niño is developing in the equatorial pacific. Sea surface temperatures show a deep pool of warm water is developing below the surface which will likely  renew and sustain a weak El Niño this winter season.

Forecasters with NOAA estimate there is an 80% chance for a weak El Niño this winter season and a 55%-60% chance of this ENSO event lasting into the Spring months of 2019.

During such events it typically can bring warmer and drier than normal weather patterns across most of Montana, however, the atmosphere is slow to adjust to these changes so far.

The months of October and November have been great with numerous mountain snow storms across Montana and most ski resorts are opening on time or even a few weeks ahead of schedule.

Nov 19, 2018 Snowpack

LINK:

NOAA Climate ENSO: Click Here