El Nino has returned

About this time last year, the Climate Prediction Center forecasted El Nino neutral conditions for the winter months. Their prediction was accurate throughout the winter of 2005/06. This year will be different, though, if the current prediction for a strong El Nino prevails for the next 3 – 6 months. Although there was a weak El Nino during the winter of 2002-2003, the last strong El Nino was during the winter of 1997-1998.

The following is an excerpt from the…