Forecasters say the El Niño weather pattern forming in the Pacific Ocean will likely be much stronger than originally predicted. It could bring some much-needed moisture to the Southwest .
Weather models now show a high likelihood of a strong El Niño. A weather pattern like that typically brings moisture farther south than normal, meaning more heavy rains will fall on the drought-plagued Pacific Coast and Arizona. Come winter, higher elevations like Flagstaff will likely see more snow.
Ken Waters is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. He said this El Niño could rival the historic weather pattern recorded in 1997 and 1998, which resulted in flooding and landslides in California.
"There’s definitely a chance it could be as strong as that. Some signals have even indicated it could be even stronger," Waters said. "It still bears watching. But as time goes on we keep seeing these stronger and stronger signals. That’s been the trend these last few months."
Waters adds it is expected to persist through the fall and winter months.
