El Nino in the Forecast Pt 2

El Nino in the Forecast Pt 2

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
With today's Fruit Grower Report, I'm Bob Larson. We told you yesterday about the long-range forecast calling for our warm friend from the South Pacific, El Nino paying us a visit by late Fall or early Winter.

But, for the near-term forecast, Washington State Climatologist Nick Bond says it's harder to tell ...

BOND ... "We never get really, or hardly ever get that much rain during the Summer so I can't really say too much about that, but it does look like it's going to be on the warm side, probably not as warm relative to normal as May so far which has, especially in the Pacific Northwest, has been quite warm, but the dice are loaded for a little warmer than normal over the Summer."

Bond says El Nino or La Nina are never sure things ...

BOND ... "And moreover, the climate system has, you know, can play tricks on us. And, a year ago, we didn't think that there was going to be the La Nina that developed for last Winter. And so, we just still have to keep an eye on how it actually will shake out."

Bond says we'll know it when we see it ...

BOND ... "Meanwhile, for Washington state at least, it looks like a good Summer. That there's going to be plenty of water for both senior and junior water-rights holders. So, let's enjoy it and grow some, grow a lot while we can, laughs."

Bond says an El Nino could bring higher than average temperatures on the West Coast from now until August of next year. Washington, Oregon and Western Idaho are looking at below average precipitation through next February.

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