GE NEVA, Switzerland (Reuters) – La Nina is expected to persist through the first three months of 2011, says the World Meteorological Organization.
The weather pattern, which is blamed for floods in Australia and drought in parts of Latin America, may even continue into April or early May, fur ther affecting weather around the globe, the United Nations agency said in its latest update.
“Almost all forecast models predict a continuation of the current La Nina for at least the next two to four months, through the first quarter of 2011 and possibly into the second quarter (April or early May),” the WMO said.
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“The strength of the event is likely to decrease during the course of the coming four months.”
La Nina began last June following a strong El Nino event in the Pacific Ocean.
The WMO said it is “one of the strongest of the last century” in terms of its effects on sea level pressure, stronger trade winds and much reduced cloudiness.
However, it is rated to have been moderate to strong in terms of its oceanic effects. It caused sea surface temperatures to average 1.5 C less than normal in the eastern and central tropical Pacific.
