La Niña is coming. Here’s how it could change the weather.
What triggers La Niña's climate pattern?
La Niña is triggered by stronger-than-normal trade winds blowing across the Pacific from east to west, pushing warm surface waters toward Asia and allowing colder waters to rise up in the eastern Pacific. This pool of cooler-than-normal waters along the equator in the central and eastern Pacific affects conditions around the world by altering atmospheric forces that steer weather patterns through middle and upper latitudes.
How does La Niña affect Atlantic hurricanes?
La Niña typically leads to increased hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin due to reduced wind shear, which allows storms to develop and intensify more easily. Warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic, often associated with La Niña, also contribute to more favorable conditions for hurricane formation and strengthening.
What are typical weather impacts of La Niña in the US?
La Niña typically brings warmer and drier conditions to the southern US, while the northern US experiences cooler and wetter weather1. The Pacific Northwest and northern California may see increased rain and snow, while the Southwest, central-southern Plains, and mid-Atlantic regions may experience drier conditions3. La Niña can also lead to more severe Atlantic hurricanes and a heightened wildfire season in California.