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Climatologists Not Sure How El Nino Will Impact Winter Weather In New York

El Nino is associated with a band of warm water in the Pacific near the equator.
El Nino is associated with a band of warm water in the Pacific near the equator.

Climatologists are working on winter weather forecasts for the coming season, and weather experts are predicting an El Nino this year.

Samantha Borisoff of the North East Regional Climate Center explains that El Nino is a band of warm water, that forms near the equator in the Pacific Ocean.

"Basically, when the water's warm, it shifts global weather patterns. In particular, it shifts where the jet streams are located."

Borisoff says the El Nino will push the Pacific Stream further south, and the Polar Stream north which could bring increase precipitation to those areas. It could have quite a different effect here, however.

"Sometimes Western New York does get dryer conditions during El Nino winters, so that is a possibility."

Unfortunately, it may be too early to tell exactly how this weather phenomenon will affect us.

The Climate Prediction Center in Washington DC is currently says they are not sure if there will be increase precipitation, decreased, or no change, but they are releasing updated data this week to help make more accurate predictions for the coming months.

Veronica Volk is a senior editor and producer for WXXI News.