This summer is the third time since 1900 Australia has seen three La Niñas in a row, the others being 1954-57, 1973-76, and 1998-2001. Four in a row is unheard of, but some scientists suggest La Niña and La Niña-like conditions could be getting worse and more frequent thanks to human-induced climate change.
A study of the flooding rains in Queensland during the last La Niña in 2010 and 2011 found ocean warming caused by increased emissions had increased the chance of extreme rainfall in the state.
“We know the background warming of the ocean and the atmosphere has increased the moisture that can bring rain,” University of New South Wales climate scientist Dr Andrea Taschetto told Guardian Australia.
“There are projections showing that in the future there will be an increased frequency of extreme La Niña and El Niño events.”
El Niño–Southern Oscillation widespread and devastating floodingTom SaundersA #LaNiña event is underway in the Pacific Ocean. The Bureau’s 3-month climate outlook shows a high chance of above-average rainfall for the eastern half of Australia. La Niña is not the only driver influencing this wet outlook. Learn more – https://t.co/Sxi7noGXVN pic.twitter.com/JJ7aYtxEEm
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) September 13, 2022
So don’t panic yet. Prepare for the worst but hope for the best.
The post Four La Niñas In A Row Has Never Happened, But BOM Says We ‘Can’t Rule It Out’ For Next Year appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .