Study: La Niņa might create severe weather
April 17, 2006U.S. scientists say La Niņa-controlled weather patterns have the potential to produce more severe storms, as those recently seen in the Midwest and South.
Assistant Purdue University Professor of Atmospheric Sciences and Agronomy Dev Niyogi, who is also Indiana's state climatologist, said La Niņa is making climate predictions difficult.
"La Niņa weakening should lead to a somewhat average spring season, both in terms of temperature and precipitation," Niyogi said. "However, that is deceptive because historically La Niņa usually leads to wide swings in weather conditions.
"So, even if the average conditions would be somewhat normal, a La Niņa spring is notorious for a rollercoaster weather pattern."
La Niņa occurs in a natural cycle about every two to seven years when ocean waters in the Pacific equatorial region are cooler than normal, Niyogi said. The phenomenon is caused by the circulation and interaction of cold and warm ocean water.
The good side of severe storms, such as those occurring recently in the Midwest and South, is that they produce enough rain to overcome drought conditions, said Niyogi. The negative side is the potential for tornadoes, lightning and flash floods.
Copyright 2006 by United Press International
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