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
Graduation Season
It's that time of year again. Kids of all ages are graduating and celebrating their hard work. Little ones are done with their early elementary years and eager for summer camp. Teens are growing up quickly, done with middle school, and ready to take on high school....
San Francisco’s Bison
The Bay Area is home to all kinds of wonderful places and experiences. One is San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, a beautiful swath of nature and unique views. While most tourists take their photos and leave, or even locals who want a quiet hike or picnic may, there is...
Happy Arbor Day
Today we celebrate Arbor Day, giving love to the nearly a thousand different species of trees we have come to know in the Bay Area. Commonly celebrated by planting trees, you can show your appreciation in many different ways, from writing poems to smiling at a tree. ...
Recent Comments