As we approach hurricane season there are many meteorological factors that may impact the number and intensity of tropical storms for the upcoming season. One ingredient that we watch closely is the presence of El Nino or La Nina in the Pacific Ocean. Remember, an El Nino condition represents above normal equatorial sea surface temperatures while La Nina represents colder than normal temperatures. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has just declared an end to the nearly 2 year long La Nina in the Pacific Ocean. This means that the average ocean temperature of the equatorial Pacific Ocean is increasing slowly. This is important because we know from past history that, on average, fewer hurricanes develop in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean if El Nino conditions take hold. Stay tuned, we’ll be watching for the development of El Nino in the coming months, especially by mid summer because the peak of the hurricane season is in September.
