Typical SUMMER El Nino pattern
Typical WINTER El Nino patternPHOENIX (CBS5/AP) -
If the last two years have been a little too warm and dry for you, some relief may be in sight.
The CPC (Climate Prediction Center) has been hinting about a possible shift from La Nina (warmer, drier weather for AZ) to El Nino conditions (cooler, wetter weather for AZ). Their latest report suggests that weak-to-moderate El Nino conditions are forecast for the Northern Hemisphere for fall and winter 2012-13.
El Nino and La Nina refer to the warming or cooling of the equatorial Pacific which affect global weather patterns.
In a typical winter El Nino pattern, storms tend to take more of a southerly track across the U.S. Northern parts of the country are typically drier (than average) and slightly warmer.
Copyright 2012 CBS 5 (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
