US forecaster sees 60% chance of La Niña weather in Septembe There is a 60% chance of La Nia weather conditions emerging in September-November and they are expected to persist through January-March 2025, a U.S. government forecaster said on Thursday.
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT
La Nia, a climatic phenomenon characterized by cooler-than-average ocean temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, is associated with both floods and droughts affecting global agriculture, and higher Caribbean hurricane activity.
In Florida, a state already battered by Hurricane Helene two weeks ago, as many as two million people were ordered to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Milton's arrival. Both storms are expected to have caused billions of dollars in damage.
CONTEXT
The cycle between El Nio, La Nia, and a neutral phase typically lasts two to seven years.
Earlier this week, Japan's weather bureau said that there were no signs of El Nio or La Nia phenomena at this moment, but characteristics of La Nia were approaching.
La Nia usually brings less rain and worsening drought conditions which also has the potential to affect agriculture globally.
KEY QUOTES
"It still looks like a weak La Nia will form over the coming months and should be short lived... that being said other factors continue