Apr 29, 2009 3:57 pm US/Eastern
S. Fla. Rainy Season May Be Wetter Than Normal
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
The National Weather Service in Miami indicated on Wednesday that South Florida's rainy season will roll in around May 20 and be normal or wetter than normal. But, even with the likely increase in wet weather, NWS forecasters said drought and fire danger issues will extend through June.
One reason that might explain the possible wetter than average rainy seasons is the possible decline of the weather phenomenon known as La Niña.
La Niña usually features cold ocean temperatures in the eastern Pacific. During La Niña, tropical storm activity in the Atlantic typically rises. During the transition time from a strong La Niña to its opposite oceanic phenomenon, El Niño, the rainy season around South Florida can sometimes increase.
The Climate Prediction Center said during a discussion that "Based on current observations, recent trends, and model forecasts, a transition to ENSO-neutral (no La Niña or El Niño) conditions is expected during April 2009."
"Over the equatorial Pacific Ocean, La Niña-like impacts are expected to linger during April-June 2009, including above-average precipitation over Indonesia, and below-average precipitation over the central Pacific. Over the United States, La Niña impacts are strongest during the Northern Hemisphere winter and typically weaken during the spring."
In South Florida, the rainy season produces around 70 percent of the region's yearly rainfall totals.
Nestor Yglesias of the South Water Management District responded to the new forecast with words of caution. "While some weather forecasts calling for an average or above-average wet season are encouraging, the South Florida Water Management District has a responsibility to prepare for worst-case conditions. The arrival of the wet season brings no guarantees that rain will fall in large enough amounts in the right locations to quickly recharge the primary regional storage systems and groundwater supplies," Iglesias wrote.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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