It looks like we can expect an extra strength El Nino weather pattern in Texas this year and, hopefully, it will be a wet one. Will it be enough to reverse the El Paso areas’ drought?<\/p>\n
Mother Nature is a finicky, schizophrenic psycho but if she stays her current course, we’re in for the first “super” El Nino event in 140 years. The good news is, it should bring lots of rain.<\/p>\n
Will it be enough to make up for years of drought, especially in the Borderland, though?<\/p>\n
Texas may benefit from heavy rains thanks to El Nino. On the upside, more rain is good. On the downside, it could mean more intense flooding which totally did a number on Texas last year.<\/p>\n
What Is El Nino?<\/p>\n
El Nino is a recurring weather pattern that happens every few years, affecting sea temperatures, weakening trade winds and pushing warmer water eastward which alters the weather. It also brings more rain to certain areas, including the southern United States.<\/p>\n
This year, those effects … especially the rainfall increases … may be extra heavy as the first “super” El Nino in a loooong time is likely to occur this year.<\/p>\n
Will El Nino End The Texas Drought?<\/p>\n
Probably not. Prolonged, steady rainfall and thicker snow packs are needed to refill aquifers and get lakes and rivers back to normal levels. While extra El Nino rain will be a big help, it won’t do the job entirely.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven the poor existing snowpack in this region, current runoff forecasts are below normal,\u201d the NIDIS notes when warning this \u201cSuper El Ni\u00f1o\u201d may not be the drought reverser folks are hoping for. –\u00a0mysanantonio.com<\/a><\/p>\n