What does the La Niña Watch mean for central and south Alabama?

A La Niña Watch has been issued by the Climate Prediction Center
A La Niña Watch has been issued by the Climate Prediction Center(WSFA 12 News)
Updated: Aug. 13, 2020 at 4:33 PM CDT
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - A La Niña Watch has been issued by the Climate Prediction Center, meaning there’s a 55 – 60% chance of La Niña conditions developing this coming fall and winter. What does that mean for us?

La Niña occurs when there are colder than normal sea surface temperatures in the east-central Equatorial Pacific, and it impacts weather globally.

La Niña can mean a more active Atlantic hurricane season. La Niña conditions reduce the amount of wind shear over the Atlantic. Wind shear tears tropical systems apart, so with reduced wind shear, it is easier for tropical storms and hurricanes to form and strengthen.

La Niña typically means a more active Atlantic hurricane season
La Niña typically means a more active Atlantic hurricane season(Climate.gov)

Here in central and south Alabama, La Niña is typically represented by overall warmer-than-normal winter months.

La Niña typically means a warmer than average winter
La Niña typically means a warmer than average winter(NOAA/National Weather Service)

In addition to the winter being warmer, it is also typically drier.

La Niña typically means a drier than average winter
La Niña typically means a drier than average winter(NOAA/National Weather Service)

It is important to remember that La Niña does not solely influence our weather, and occasional storms and cold-snaps are to be expected due to other influencing factors. Generally, though, when looking back on La Niña winters, they tend to be warmer and drier than El Niño or neutral winters.

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