Rare triple dip La Niña expected to occur for first time this century

The eastern Pacific is expected to be unusually cold for the third winter in a row, contributing along with climate change to extreme precipitation and drought

By James Dinneen

La Niña conditions in the eastern Pacific Ocean are expected to continue for the third winter in a row. This rare “triple dip” has contributed to extreme weather in many parts of the world, including heavy rains causing flooding in Australia and a drought in the Horn of Africa that has led to a hunger crisis.

Sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific have outsized influence on global atmospheric conditions. A pattern of cold temperatures in the eastern Pacific – …