Get out your umbrellas! The next few weeks are forecasted to have some significant rainfall and colder temperatures. Across the Bay Area, above-average precipitation is expected for the next ten days and, possibly, through the end of the month. This is the first big system of this year, but, as of recent years, this pattern is all but unusual.
Though there isn’t usually significant rainfall in the Bay Area, recent El Nino years have brought above-average precipitation to the region. In the weather phenomenon of El Nino, trade winds, which take warm water from South America towards Asia, weaken, and warm water is pushed towards the West Coast. Because of this change, the Pacific jet stream moves south of its regular position, and the Northern areas of Canada and the U.S. are warmer and drier than usual. The U.S. Gulf and Southeast, however, are much wetter and at risk for flooding.
This weather has an impact not only on our daily lives but also on marine life. During El Nino, there is little upwelling, or water being brought from the ocean floor to the surface, so there are fewer phytoplankton off the coast. This affects most fish and their migration patterns.
El Nino means “the little boy” in Spanish and was first discovered by South American fishermen in the 1600s. They named the phenomenon El Nino de Navidad or “the little boy of Christmas” because it usually peaks in December.
We hope you stay safe and warm this rainy season!
More Helpful Articles
Give Back to the Plant That Gives to You
Happy Earth Day! Every day is an opportunity to give back to the earth, but today is an especially good time to consider your impact on the environment. Sometimes, small changes make the biggest difference, but sometimes it can be difficult to know where to start. If...
A Local’s Guide to Golden Gate Park
It’s the best time of the year to get outside, and there's nowhere better to spend your days than at Golden Gate Park! With over a thousand acres of land, Golden Gate Park is home to some of the best activities to enjoy a very Bay Area day. There are numerous museums...
Blooms on the Block
With spring blooms in full bloom, there are many options for buying fresh flowers. This season, stay local and discover something new at these hidden-gem fresh markets. Repetto’s Nursery & Florist Bring your favorite vase and head on down to Repetto’s build your...
Recent Comments