The probability of an El Nino event in late northern summer has recently increased substantially and although this can bring drought to many critical regions it could deliver rain to California and break their drought. This poses and interesting question, California has had a persistent ridge of high pressure sitting over the Pacific, just off the coast, which has diverted rain clouds north to Alaska and high pressure systems are notoriously difficult to shift. This high pressure ridge, the cause of the drought, could be linked to the jet stream changes brought about by the diminishing Arctic sea ice.
If the El Nino develops it would normally send rain bearing low pressure systems to California which would be very welcome even if it also delivers a few floods.
Which one is going to win? Will the ridge of high pressure persist and divert the rain bearing systems north or will these systems overwhelm the high pressure and break the drought?
Like most climate events it takes time for it to happen but the next year should be quite interesting.
If the El Nino develops it would normally send rain bearing low pressure systems to California which would be very welcome even if it also delivers a few floods.
Which one is going to win? Will the ridge of high pressure persist and divert the rain bearing systems north or will these systems overwhelm the high pressure and break the drought?
Like most climate events it takes time for it to happen but the next year should be quite interesting.
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