Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms

In the Western Pacific:

Tropical storm Faxai is located approximately 353 nm southeast of Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

In the Indian Ocean:

Tropical cyclone Kofi is located approximately 435 nm southeast of Suva, Fiji.

El Niño

Two Pacific tropical storms form, boosting the odds of an El Niño. The atmospheric and oceanic conditions in the Equatorial Pacific are ripe for an El Niño event to develop this spring or summer. All that is needed to trigger an El Niño this spring or summer are strong and persistent bursts of westerly winds in the Equatorial Pacific to help push warm water from the Western Pacific Warm Pool eastwards towards South America.

Two tropical storms capable of doing just that formed in the Pacific on Friday, boosting the odds that we will see an El Niño event this spring or summer. In the Western Pacific, Tropical Storm Faxai formed Friday morning about 400 miles southeast of Guam. The minimal 40 mph tropical storm is located close to the Equator, which means the the counterclockwise wind circulation around the storm will drive west-to-east winds along the Equator, giving a substantial push to warm waters attempting to slosh eastwards towards South America and start an El Niño event. Faxai is expected to intensify to a Category 1 typhoon by Monday, but is not a threat to any islands.

In the South Pacific, Tropical Cyclone Sixteen formed Friday morning near the island of Fiji. This minimal 40 mph tropical storm is moving south-southeast at 10 mph, and is expected to slowly intensify to a strong tropical storm with 70 mph winds by Monday. [This storm has already become cyclone Kofi.] The clockwise circulation of winds around the storm will also help drive westerly winds near the Equator that will boost the odds of an El Niño event. However, since this storm is farther from the Equator it will not have a strong an impact on boosting El Niño odds as Tropical Storm Faxai will.

NewsBytes:

UK - This has officially been the wettest winter since records began almost 250 years ago. What seemed at the time to be never-ending rainfall has left chaos in its wake, with thousands of properties affected by flooding. Disruption to travel services has also had detrimental consequences on business and tourism.

California, USA - The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for parts of Los Angeles. Heavy rainfall is predicted continue in Southern California. Flash floods, mudslides hit Southern California as rain continues.