There is a 42% chance of an El Niño weather pattern emerging next summer, between December 2018 and March 2019, Peru's Multisectoral Committee for the National Study of El Nino phenomenon (Enfen) has reported.
This percentage is higher in the central equatorial Pacific Ocean. For this area, Enfen forecasters put the chances of an
El Niño phenomenon at 68%.
However, there is a 52% chance of neutral conditions, according to the aforementioned committee.
Likewise, sea surface temperature —along the Peruvian coast— remains close to normal. Yet, there is a warming trend in the central equatorial Pacific Ocean.
"Warm Kelvin waves are expected to continue arriving thru August, thus contributing to a slight increase in sea and air temperature, as well as in sea level," he concluded.
As is known, El Niño phenomenon is characterized by heavy rains, landslides, and floods.
(END) NDP/JAA/MVB