Posted on Nov 15, 2023
Why a ‘Super El Niño’ could help drought-stricken Missouri and Kansas this winter
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Huge swaths of Missouri and Kansas have continued to be stuck in a months-long drought. But El Niño, a months-long weather pattern that typically brings warm winters and extra precipitation to the central U.S., brings hope.
The phrase “El Niño” can conjure up images of horrendous weather: severe storms in the southern U.S. and droughts in Asia and Africa.
But for Kansas and Missouri, El Niño, a months-long weather pattern that typically brings warm winters and extra precipitation to the central U.S., brings hope.
Both states have been stuck in a stubborn drought, slashing farm yields and shrinking ponds for livestock. Aaron Harries, vice president of research and operations for Kansas Wheat, said the possibility of more rain and snow brought on by El Niño was welcome news.
“Anything better than what we’ve had the last three years is good news,” Harries said.
El Niño is a naturally — though irregularly — occurring phenomenon when the ocean’s surface warms in parts of the Pacific, bringing more rains to some areas of the globe while depriving others. Prevailing winds at the surface weaken and can reverse.
The phrase “El Niño” can conjure up images of horrendous weather: severe storms in the southern U.S. and droughts in Asia and Africa.
But for Kansas and Missouri, El Niño, a months-long weather pattern that typically brings warm winters and extra precipitation to the central U.S., brings hope.
Both states have been stuck in a stubborn drought, slashing farm yields and shrinking ponds for livestock. Aaron Harries, vice president of research and operations for Kansas Wheat, said the possibility of more rain and snow brought on by El Niño was welcome news.
“Anything better than what we’ve had the last three years is good news,” Harries said.
El Niño is a naturally — though irregularly — occurring phenomenon when the ocean’s surface warms in parts of the Pacific, bringing more rains to some areas of the globe while depriving others. Prevailing winds at the surface weaken and can reverse.
Why a ‘Super El Niño’ could help drought-stricken Missouri and Kansas this winter
Posted from kcur.org
Farming
Agriculture
Water
Posted 6 mo ago
Responses: 3
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Same here, local forecasters keep saying that they think El Nino will help relieve our drought too.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Rain is Good as Long as it isn't Like the Monsoons on Dodge or Like Bremerton, WA (2 Seasons, Rain and Summer)
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel It's been pretty dry here in East Tennessee also. They promise rain all the time but little to nothing comes our way in recent weeks.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."While an El Niño year typically brings more moisture than average for Kansas, that’s compared to a dry baseline. A couple extra inches of rain or snow won’t solve a 12-inch deficit in drought-stricken parts of the state.
“It is an absolute — I won’t say certainty,” Sittel said, “… but 99% chance that all of eastern Kansas, north, north-central, central Kansas will still be in drought conditions by April 1.”
..."While an El Niño year typically brings more moisture than average for Kansas, that’s compared to a dry baseline. A couple extra inches of rain or snow won’t solve a 12-inch deficit in drought-stricken parts of the state.
“It is an absolute — I won’t say certainty,” Sittel said, “… but 99% chance that all of eastern Kansas, north, north-central, central Kansas will still be in drought conditions by April 1.”
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