El Nino Could Develop as Hurricane Season Opens

"SINGAPORE -- The El Nino weather pattern, which can bring global weather chaos such as droughts and floods, could develop within weeks, the Climate Prediction Center in the United States said.

El Nino is driven by an abnormal warming of the eastern Pacific and the forecaster said conditions were favorable for a switch to El Nino conditions during June to August 2009.

The forecast is the latest warning of the increased chances of El Nino developing after months of rising ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific.

Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said on Wednesday that if recent trends in Pacific climate patterns held up, there was an above-50 percent chance an El Nino event would be established by July."

David Fogarty reports for Reuters June 5, 2009.

See Also:

"Hurricane Forecast Revised as El Nino Potential Grows" (National Geographic News)

"2009 Atlantic And East Pacific Ocean Hurricane Seasons Begin" (SPX)

"Drought Worsens as El Nino Threatens" (Australian ABC)

"U.S. Forecaster Reduces Atlantic Hurricane Prediction" (Reuters)