In the News
Long-range forecast predicts mild winter for Pacific Northwest
If the long-range forecast from the National Weather Service is right, we have a mild winter ahead of us. The primary driver for the winter outlook is the emergence of El Nino. That's a warming of the equatorial Pacific Ocean that tends to bring mild winters to the Pacific Northwest. Nick Bond is featured.
Ocean temperatures rise, boosting odds of El Nino ahead
Pacific Ocean temperatures are rising along the equator, a signal that winter likely will be warmer than normal in the Northwest. Federal climatologists peg the odds that an El Nino will form in the next couple of months at 70 to 75 percent, a 5 percent increase since mid-September. The warm ocean should influence late winter weather, but El Ninos historically have had little effect on snow accumulation in Washington before Jan. 1, State Climatologist Nick Bond said Monday. Nick Bond is quoted.
El Nino winter could mean warmer temps, less snow in Inland Northwest
El Nino winters often bring warmer than normal temperatures and below normal snowfall. That would mean warmer and drier temperatures for the months of December, January and February in the Inland Northwest. Nick Bond is mentioned.
Climatologist talks El Nino, the Blob, climate change
Imagine a hangover that lasts for years. In 2013 and 2014, a mass of warm water formed off the West Coast. The Blob, so named by Washington State Climatologist Nick Bond, persisted through 2015 and 2016 after a massive El Nino event hit and kept it alive. Temperatures inside the Blob were recorded at nearly 3 degrees C warmer than normal. Nick Bond is interviewed.
El Nino winter predicted for Pacific Northwest
The Washington state climatologist explains what an El Nino winter could look like for the Pacific Northwest. Nick Bond is interviewed.