El Nino Expected for 2014
Today the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) acting director, Mike Halpert, forecast El Nino activity for 2014. http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/enso_advisory/
Other scientists have confirmed Halpert’s forecast with new modeling technology. http://news.yahoo.com/comes-el-nino-good-news-us-weather-woes-142354512.html
El Nino refers to increased mid Pacific water temperatures that trigger major worldwide weather changes, so predicting El Nino occupies the time of many scientists, economists, and medical care providers. http://www.elnino.noaa.gov/document.html#predicting
The most recent past El Nino event in 1997-1998 caused over $3 B in crop loss, so economists worldwide have begun paying close attention to today’s NOAA report. Analysts at http://HamiltonFinanceServices.com have tallied this list of good and bad effects expected in 2014 and 2015 from this year’s El Nino, if it happens:
Good
Atlantic hurricanes reduce
US west coast rain increases
US Midwest winter temperatures moderate
Bad
Heat waves kill hundreds worldwide
Crop failures worldwide
$Billions economic loss worldwide
Poorer fishing worldwide
All global warming indicators jump up
All insect-born diseases jump up
By this analysis, the bad effects clearly surpass the good. The hardest hit areas include coastal economies, especially Peru, South America, where both historic flooding and dreadful fishing have impacted the entire nation for decades. While a few in the US might say the El Nino brings positive benefits, most of the world will disagree. http://www.sfgate.com/news/science/article/Here-comes-El-Nino-good-news-for-US-weather-woes-5293440.php
How about you? How has El Nino impacted your area historically?
