By the end of March 2013, we were more than ready to put Winter behind us after bitterly cold temperatures hanging on and periods of snow blanketing the area. We were influenced by a weak La Nina episode and arctic air was readily available to the Eastern United States. Currently the Climate Prediction Center is in "La Nina Watch" mode with a 70% chance of development this Fall and continuing into Winter 2016-2017. A record El Nino episode came to an end early in the Summer and we have been in a neutral period for a couple of months now. Signs of continued cooling in the Pacific waters off the coast of South America points to the likely development of a weak La Nina episode for the cool season. The reason we look at El Nino and La Nina episodes is because it has a direct impact on the overall weather pattern across North America. It gives us guidance. During La Nina, we tend to see colder winters and a higher likelihood of stormy (wintry) weather. Temperatures d...
The views and expressions of Meteorologist and Storm Specialist Jennifer Rukavina in Paducah, KY.