La Nina event could mean rainier winters in Washington state

Published 9:06 am Friday, September 11, 2020

Associated Press

SEATTLE — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has declared a La Nina advisory, which could mean rainier winters for Washington state.

The NOAA said Thursday that water temperatures in the central Pacific Ocean have been at least a half-degree celsius (0.9 degrees Fahrenheit) cooler than normal for three months, which fulfills the agency’s criteria for when a La Nina event has started.

Tropical atmospheric circulations have also been behaving in a La Nina pattern, NOAA forecasters said.

The NOAA says there is a 75% chance that La Nina conditions will persist through the winter.

For Washington state, this will likely mean more rain in the lowlands and more snow in mountainous regions, KOMO-TV reported.