La Nina conditions are climate patterns in the equatorial pacific characterized by unusually cold temperatures, according to the National Weather Service website. These were indicated by expanding below-average sea surface temperatures along the central and eastern Pacific Ocean along the equator.
Past La Nina patterns have brought above-average amounts of snowfall to the Chicago area. Although the current patterns appear they will remain weak, it is predicted to bring heavy snow all the way up until February.
Maps of La Nina show a polar jet stream moving through a high pressure system above Alaska that brings cool temperatures and precipitation towards the northern half of the US. Depending on the severity of La Nina conditions, snowfall can lead to continuous and severe weather conditions throughout the winter season.
Opposite of La Nina is patterns of above-average equatorial pacific patterns called El Nino, which flips the US winter weather, pushing cool, wet winters down south and bringing warmer temperatures and dryness to the north.
La Nina patterns have been suspected to be able to offset the effects of global warming due to its influx in cooler temperatures. In reality, La Nina is just part of the oscillation between warmer and cooler temperature averages in equatorial pacific patterns. Despite the cooling effects of La Nina, according to NOAA, the average global temperature has continued to rise.
Junior Business Administration Major, Elaina Veome, looks forward to the snowier predictions for Chicago’s winter this year. “If it’s cold outside, I prefer there to be snow on the ground,” says Veome. “I’m excited for there to be a lot of snow on the ground, if I could rate it one to ten, it would be eleven!”
Despite treacherous conditions, heavy snowfall is known to be to Chicago’s already extreme winter-weather conditions, the increase in precipitation means more opportunities for snowy activities.
Lake Michigan already provides a general cooling among most of northeastern Illinois, according to the Illinois State University Climatologist. Something called “lake-effect snows” causes higher precipitation for Chicago during the winter months. Now, due to the strong trade winds produced by La Nina, cold jet streams are pushed northward, leaving the southern US in a drought, while boosting rain and snowfall up north.
Other effects of La Nina climate patterns are more nutrient rich, cold waters along the west coast, which attracts more cold-water species like salmon and squid. It can also lead to a more severe hurricane season, despite this year’s tropical storms being relatively tame.
That being said, this year’s La Nina patterns are predicted to stay relatively weak, reducing the risk of Chicago experiencing extreme weather conditions like it’s seen in the past. Nevertheless, it is important to look out for this coming winter and be prepared for even harsher, snowier conditions.
