Weaker El-Nino, Still Helpful, But Not What We Hoped For.

Posted: Mon, 16 Mar 2015 08:58 AM - 30,741 Readers

El Nino, just the thought of it makes us think relief from the drought is coming.

Earlier this year, many thought this event could top them all.

ClimateChange.org writes, "climate change could double likelihood of super El Ninos."

Even the Capital Weather Gang with the Washington Post projected something huge. "A super El Niño on the way? Subtle signs emerging."

The original hope, one of the biggest El Ninos on record to help the rivers flow, and fill up the Highland Lakes. However, that turned out not to be the reality.

KVUE Storm Team Meteorologist Albert Ramon mentions, "this looks to be a weak El Nino, so we are not expecting huge effects out of this one."

In a typical scenario, trade winds from the west push east along the equator, warming the waters in the central Pacific Ocean. This allows more moisture to stream into Texas. In this case, there is higher than average rainfall, and lower than average temperatures.

The strongest El Nino on record occurred in 1997, while another event happened in 2004. In both cases, Lake Travis rose 15 to 20 feet above the historical average. This time, trade winds are weaker, which means we may not get much help.

"Lake Travis is over 40 feet below its seasonal monthly average, so we need some very heavy rainfall for days, right on top of the Highland Lakes, and just north of the highland Lakes," said Ramon.

A bleak outlook, while we cross our fingers for additional support.

* Story Contributed by: KVUE News

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