Forecasters are reminding farmers and ranchers that no two El Niño weather patterns are exactly alike, but the climate phenomenon often brings important impacts for U.S. agriculture. El Niño typically reaches its peak strength during the winter months and can alter weather patterns across much of the country. During a typical El Niño winter, the jet stream shifts south, increasing the chances for wetter and stormier conditions across the southern U.S. while bringing warmer-than-normal temperatures to much of the northern tier. "Every El Niño is not the same; each one is unique with its own imprint on our weather," said Ken Graham, director of NOAA's National Weather Service. Meteorologists say El Niño can also suppress hurricane activity in the Atlantic while increasing tropical development in parts of the Pacific. For agriculture, the biggest concern remains its influence on precipitation patterns, soil moisture, and crop-growing conditions heading into the next production season.
Welcome
