Weather scientists have already sounded the alarm and global mayhem awaits us this winter. This year’s El-Nino is turning out to be one of the strongest version of the weather pattern since 1950.
El-Nino is a product of weakening trade winds that push warm water west. This leads to higher than average temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. Dramatic changes in winter weather over North America, and across the globe, are the product of this weather pattern.
As per Bloomberg, coastal areas bordering the Pacific are likely to see a warmer winter this year. This includes areas adjacent to the Pacific Northwest and Japan. Whereas parts of East Africa, western South America, and southern parts of North America are expected to observe more precipitation. Other areas of the world like Brazil are likely to remain dry.
In the US, El-Nino is expected to bring in much cooler and wetter weather in the southern parts of the country. Also, above-average temperatures may be recorded in the western and northern parts of the country. An intensifying El-Nino will affect weather in the US significantly this year.
Even the global economy will suffer due to the weather mayhem being orchestrated by El-Nino. The only comparable El-Nino in record books is that of 1997-1998. Disasters in 1997-1998 caused damages amounting to $100 billion. Coffee plantations in Vietnam and Indonesia are also expected to suffer damage. Vietnam and Indonesia are two of the largest coffee producers in the world. In Africa, cocoa farmers have also cornered El-Nino for poor produce this year.
Back in 2009, India faced its worst drought in four decades due to intensifying El-Nino conditions. Wheat fields in Australia were razed and entire Asia suffered extensive crop damage. Agrarian economies always suffer the most as an intensifying El-Nino affects supply chains of major commodities across the globe.
(Featured Image Credit: grist.org)
