La Nina strengthens (predicted to last thru October)

[phantom power]

La Niña continues to influence our weather, and has strengthened some in the past month, according the the latest discussion issued today by NOAA's Climate Prediction Center. They predict that La Niña will continue at least until June, and probably into October. If this prediction holds true, we are likely to see another very active hurricane season in the Atlantic, as wind shear is typically quite low over the Atlantic during La Niña conditions. Dr. Bill Gray's forecast (issued December 6) is calling for 17 tropical storms (average is 11), 9 hurricanes (average is 6), and 5 intense hurricanes (average is 2-3). It will be interesting to see if the stronger than expected La Niña conditions will cause him to raise his numbers in his forthcoming April 4 forecast for the 2006 hurricane season. The NOAA hurricane forecast will be issued in mid-May.

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.ht...

[jn2375]

1. All those hurricanes will hit right before elections

Fema and Homeland Security incompetence will be on display again

[phantom power]

2. Interesting point. If the Dems are good strategists...

they will campaign on themes of environment, climate change and disaster preparedness. This will make them look like geniuses when the hurricanes hit. Of course, the Dems have demonstrated that they couldn't strategize themselves out of a paper bag. But it will still make for some very interesting election dynamics, no doubt.

[poverlay]

3. Somebody please do a rain dance for us here in Arizona. La Nina

means less rain here and we're already over 135 days without.

[phantom power]

4. In theory, we'll get some tomorrow. 145 days. Boo-ya!

And really, unless we get quite a few more rain days, tomorrow isn't going to mean squat.

[poverlay]

6. True dat... Either things change around drastically in the next few

years or I, and my family, are outta here. I'm so tired of air pollution, bark beetles, forest fires, skin cancer, and sweat in my knee-pits.(Phoenix native)

I think we're due some massive payback for all the years of 120+ degree summers. Maybe a whole~global warming shift to a completely opposite weather zone. Get some rainforests in Ajo and whatnot...

Y'know?

[starroute]

5. Jeff Masters' weather blog is great

He was right on the money before Katrina. He has a good sense for the weather and a social conscience besides.

[poverlay]

7. link?

[phantom power]

8. Jeff Masters' blog:

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/show.html