el nino and central florida weather
TRANSCRIPT
El Nino and Central El Nino and Central Florida WeatherFlorida Weather
El Nino
El Nino is a warming of the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
El Nino events average 1-3 years long El Nino events occur about every 5-10
years El Nino affects weather around the globe
What do we already know?
We stated that El Nino affects hurricane development.– High level winds cause wind shear and limit
development of hurricanes
This is caused by movement of the jet streams– Upper level jet streams (30,000 Feet +) have
moved South across the US
What do we already know?
According to the Investigate activity how does El Nino affect Florida’s:– Temperatures (October to March 1982-83 El
Nino)• No noticeable change
– Precipitation• Increased by 10 inches
Is that all there is? End of investigation?
No, let’s look deeper. Research by Bartlett Hagemeyer, National Weather Service
Melbourne Fl. “Significant extratropical tornado occurrences in
Florida during strong El Nino and strong La Nina events”
– This study found a high correlation between strong El Nino events and development of tornadoes in Florida particularly during January - April
Why Tornadoes?
Upper level jet stream moving at 100+ mph travels west to east across the state
A low pressure system in the Gulf draws lower level air northward over Florida
If the low level winds build this may cause a “crossing” of the winds triggering tornado outbreaks
What should we do?
Preparedness Prediction Warning
Temperature variations
What do other studies show about temperature changes during El Nino?
(-)2-3°F change during winter months What does that make our overnight low
temperature? What affect might that have?
More about precipitation
During El Nino winter precipitation may exceed normal by 30%
What affects might this have on– Lake/aquifer levels– Fire season– Beef cattle production– Agriculture– Tourism