La Nina, an ocean-atmosphere phenomenon where the sea surface temperature across the equatorial Eastern Central Pacific Ocean is lower than normal, tends to bring heavier than normal wet weather to the U.S. Midwest. Yes, blame La Nina for the record snowfall the last few months. It's all her fault.
El Nino on the other hand, brings warmer water to the sea surface and has a tendency to bring the exact opposite so you're talking possible drought conditions BUT just where does that wet weather go? To coastal regions in the U.S., Chilean, Peruvian, New Zealand, and Australian coasts, among others.....causing landslides and affecting those crops. As an example, an increase in monsoons in India could affect their sugar cane crop while drought-like conditions in the U.S. Midwest would affect corn and soybean outputs.
Just how strong El Nino will be remains to be seen but more than a few believe it's going to be a hot one. ABC News Meteorologist Melissa Griffin says the pending El Niño could be strong enough to make 2014 the globally warmest year on record, with 2015 possibly even warmer. Slate says 2014 will be a monster and could be the hottest year in history.
The warm water just below the ocean’s surface is on par with that of the biggest El Niño ever recorded, in 1997-98. That event caused $35 billion in damages and was blamed for around 23,000 deaths worldwide, according to the University of New South Wales.
How this weather affects 2014 plantings and crop growth will be monitored even closer I would guess however clearly all those who prayed for the snow to melt are now getting their wish....and they nee to watch what they wish for in the future.
Droughts and heavy rains = higher grain and soft prices? It's possible. Bring it on!
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