Strong El Nino, ‘Blob effect’ may mean more winter precipitation

The Chinook pattern is one characteristic of El Nino winters. National Weather Service climatologist Rick Thoman describes the warm Pacific Ocean waters of El Nino as raging across the equatorial region.
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“This is one of the strongest El Ninos in the last 65 years, when we have good records,” Thoman says.
Despite its strength, Thoman says El Nino impacts on North American have so far been minimal.
“It turns out that the strongest links are actually later