NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A transition from El Niño to La Niña this spring could bring active weather to Middle Tennessee.
The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is characterized by warming or cooling of the sea surface temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific Region.
El Niño is the cooler of the ENSO phases. Our winter months were influenced by El Niño this season, which typically brings a wetter pattern to the Southern U.S.
We’ve had above-average snowfall for the season and above-average rain this February. We will soon be transitioning out of El Niño and transitioning into a neutral phase before transitioning to La Niña this spring.
La Niña is characterized by the cooling of sea surface temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific Region. In other words, La Niña is the opposite of El Niño.
You can read more about the two here.
During La Niña, the jet stream tends to lift a little farther north across the Great Lakes Region. As a result of this lift in the jet, southern states tend to see warmer and drier conditions than normal.
Although there can be some change from season to season, La Niña has been linked to a more active severe weather season in the south. Some of our most devastating tornado outbreaks in Middle Tennessee have been in La Niña years.
It is important to note that in the spring, the weather is inherently variable. As warmer air masses try to win out over colder air masses, there is bound to be severe weather at some point.
Climate patterns, combined with seasonal transitions, can lead to active weather. Each year can vary significantly, so it is important to be ready no matter what season it is.
We, of course, want you to be prepared for any weather that comes our way. Join the WSMV 4 First Alert Weather Team for Severe Weather Awareness Day on Feb. 24 at Trevecca Nazarene University from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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