🌊 El Niño may be wrapping up, but its party isn't over yet! China, get ready for a wild summer.
The El Niño event that kicked off last year is expected to officially end around April, but don't pack away your umbrellas just yet! According to the China Meteorological Administration, the climatic ripple effects will linger, making waves throughout China's summer season.
What's Up with El Niño? 🤔
El Niño is a climate pattern in the Pacific Ocean that can shake up weather worldwide. It peaked in December 2023 (yep, last December!), as noted by the National Climate Center. With its expected conclusion in April, a rare transition from a triple-dip La Niña to El Niño that started back in August 2020 will come full circle.
Historically, summers following an El Niño are anything but ordinary in China. Between May and June, warmer surface temperatures in the Indian Ocean will mess with the western Pacific subtropical high—a weather system that seriously influences China's climate. The tropical Pacific and Indian Oceans are joining forces, and their tag-team action will continue to impact the weather.
La Niña Making a Comeback? 🌬️
But wait, there's more! The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says there's a 62% chance that La Niña will return by June or August. La Niña is like El Niño's opposite twin—during its events, trade winds get super strong, pushing warm water toward Asia and possibly stirring up a gnarly hurricane season.
Buckle Up, Stay Prepared! ⛑️
With all this climatic craziness, the China Meteorological Administration is throwing down a warning: it's time to ramp up preparations for flood control and other severe weather situations. Mother Nature isn't messing around!
So, if you're in China this summer, keep one eye on the sky and the other on the weather app. It looks like we're in for a rollercoaster ride! 🎢
Reference(s):
El Nino to affect climate in China, even after expected April ending
cgtn.com
