NEW YORK, N.Y. (Reuters) — The U.S. national weather forecaster is forecasting that the much-feared El Nino phenomenon is unlikely to affect Northern Hemisphere weather this summer.
In its monthly report, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center said its models for the El Nino remain neutral into the summer, citing oceanic heat content and wind levels during March.
However, the forecaster maintained a more uncertain longer-term outlook.
“There is less confidence in the forecasts for the last half of the year,” CPC said in a statement.
During El Nino, unusually warm temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean can cause heavy rains and flooding in parts of the United States and South America. The weather pattern can also trigger droughts in Southeast Asia and Australia.
