This is what "normal" condition's for weather and temperature without El Nino
This is the difference with El Nino.
El Nino is the extreme warm phase.
Because of these changes Southern California receives much more rainfall than usual during these times. In general, the effect of El Niño on California is increased rainfall with accompanying floods, landslides, and coastal erosion. The effects are variable across the state and are more predictable in Southern California. This can be detrimental and dangerous for the state causing things from houses being damaged to people dying.
This is typically the expectation of rain for a stronger El Nino
And the picture below would be expectations for a weaker El Nino
Basically, the warmer the currents, the more moisture in the air adding to much more rainfall than usual. This is something Southern California is used to dealing with but still is preventable. Little things can be done for rainfall proactive planning but other than that when the rain comes the rain comes!
http://ggweather.com/enso/calenso.htm
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/education/dynamic/session4/sess4_hydroatmo3.htm
There is some very interesting information here! I'd like to add that there is a major difference between atmospheric flows during El Nino and La Nina winters. During El Nino winters, the air moves east-west from the Pacific, which can block cold air coming in from the North, making the temperatures warmer than usual. La Nina winters are different in that the air moves north-south, and creates drastic temperature changes in the west. Southern California is put right into place to recieve a lot of these changes. El Nino affects typical jet stream movement that would've otherwise hit the Pacific Northwest instead of southern California, and does indeed carry moisture and storms! Great post, this is a great weather phenomena to include since your location is in the midst of all of it!
ReplyDeleteThe topic of El Nino and La Nina have always fascinated me. I grew up in California just a few miles from Oceanside. The affects of El Nino were always felt around there. However, I have to say the affects these systems here in Colorado. As an avid skier that skies about 50 days a season I watch these systems carefully. I hope every year for an El Nino year for the increased snowfall and colder temperatures over the Rockies. Oceanside has a lot rain during El Nino season, and it actually caused the area I use to live in to flood and become vitcim to mass wasting a few times. This is a great post and topic!
ReplyDeleteJoel Rifkin