Shift from El Nino to La Nina portends rains in Asia, dryness in Americas

Julie Ingwersen - Reuters - 07/02
After a strong El Nino, global weather is poised to transition to La Nina in the second half of 2024, a pattern typically bringing higher precipitation to Australia, Southeast Asia and India and drier weather to grain and oilseed producing regions of the Americas, meteorologists and agricultural analysts said.
  • Weather models indicate weak La Nina in 2nd half of 2024
  • La Nina may bring more rains to Australia, SE Asia, India
  • Meteorologists say it is early to forecast La Nina impact
  • Dryness could hit U.S. river transport, may help with harvest
SINGAPORE/CHICAGO, Feb 7 (Reuters) - After a strong El Nino, global weather is poised to transition to La Nina in the second half of 2024, a pattern typically bringing higher precipitation to Australia, Southeast Asia and India and drier weather to grain and oilseed producing regions of the Americas, meteorologists and agricultural analysts said.
While it is too early predict its intensity or impact on crops, meteorologists said, a shift towards a mild occurrence of La Nina, when surface ocean waters cool off the tropical west coast of South America, is looming.
"The vast majority of weather models are pointing towards a weak La Nina in the second half of the year or towards the last quarter. One out of maybe 25 weather models is showing a strong La Nina," said Chris Hyde, a meteorologist at U.S.-based Maxar.
Last year's El Nino, which followed three La Nina years, saw hot and dry weather in Asia and heavier rai...
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