Matt Devitt Weather

Accurate

: El Niño is now officially here, according to NOAA this morning. A very strong or "Super El Niño" is currently projected by most models into the Fall & Winter, making it one of the strongest on record. The red colors below are warmer than average surface water temps.

Historically, strong El Niño events lead to greater wind shear and a suppression or lowering of tropical activity across the Caribbean, Gulf and Atlantic. While that would obviously be great news, remember, just takes one big storm to seem like an active year (which can still occur even during El Niño years).

Across the United States, it also favors a more active southern storm track, increasing the chances for greater rainfall and severe weather during the fall and winter...including in Florida. Winters can overall be cooler too. I'll keep you posted!

- Matt Devitt Weather