The United States could experience one of the three strongest El Niño weather events this winter. But the higher-than-average rains predicted will not fully eliminate Arizona’s drought deficits.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s forecasters say Western and Northern tier states should see above-average temperatures. The Southern tier and Atlantic coast will have wetter than average conditions.
Alan Haynes with the National Weather Service said that doesn’t mean the West’s persistent drought conditions will be eliminated.
"Now while there is some optimism in helping with the drought in California, a full recovery is likely to be uneven across the West, and it’s also likely to take more than one season of above-normal precipitation," said Haynes.
Forecasters say this week’s storms in the West are not related to El Niño. Precipitation related to that climate phenomenon isn’t likely to start until December or January.