La Nina' persists

[skein]

Looks like our weather patterns are going to persist for a while, maybe even into early 2009. I've been following this for a year now, and their predictions have been spot on. Here's what they are saying as of about a week ago: (I added the 'bold' for emphasis)

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CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER/NCEP/NWS
7 August 2008

Synopsis: ENSO-neutral conditions are expected to continue through the Northern
Hemisphere Fall 2008.

ENSO-neutral conditions continued during July 2008, as sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the central equatorial Pacific Ocean remained near-average (Fig. 1, bottom). As is typical with ENSO-neutral conditions, atmospheric and oceanic indicators were mixed, with certain areas in the equatorial Pacific Ocean suggesting a lingering influence of La Niña and others reflecting an increase in above-average temperatures, particularly in the eastern Pacific.

From west to east, the latest weekly SST index values range from −0.3°C in the Niño-4 region to +0.9°C in the Niño 1+2 region (Fig. 2). The subsurface oceanic heat content (average temperatures in the upper 300m of the ocean, Fig. 3) has also increased in response to positive temperature anomalies along the thermocline (Fig. 4).

However, a weak, shallow region of below-average temperatures still remains near the International Date Line. The atmospheric circulation over the western and central tropical Pacific continues to reflect some aspects of La Niña.

Enhanced low-level easterly winds and upper-level westerly winds persist in this region, while convection remains generally suppressed over the central Pacific. In contrast, the eastern equatorial Pacific features weak-to-average low-level easterly winds and average precipitation.

Despite recent increases in SST anomalies, the actual SSTs are not warm enough to support convection (Fig. 1, top). Collectively, these atmospheric and oceanic anomalies are consistent with ENSO-neutral conditions.
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Just thought I would cheer everyone up. Ugh.

Skein

[CATCH AND EAT]

Uh...................thanks??????

[Bill Monroe]

Originally Posted by CATCH AND EAT

Uh...................thanks??????

Good for salmon, though, right?
(Glass-half-full)

[skein]

Yes, excellent for salmon. In fact this year I've seen some of the largest concentrations of baitfish that I've ever seen. Good food, cooler water - perfect!

So remember, I'm not saying La Nina' is bad, I'm just saying the current ocean conditions that are keeping us from venturing out are likely to continue through the rest of this season. That's where the 'ugh' is coming from.

Skein

[retaliate]

Yep, looked like it was dissapating early in the year, but came back, our Weather has been typical of a la nina, with a amplified jet stream, hot one day, cool the next, makes for a short window of opportunity tho, you really have to watch the weather close this year, & take advantage when you can, the more than average Atlantic tropical storms are typical of a la nina also, good news for Salmon for sure, & Tuna altho a little late, have been more concentrated, so big #'s for those able, & willing to make the long run where they are thick, best of both worlds.

[Salty Walty]

Great news for the salmon has been my thoughts too.

Face it we got spoiled the last couple of years and we forgot that we live in the PNW and not San Diego. Just makes you appreciate the good years when we have them.

[CATCH AND EAT]

Originally Posted by Bill Monroe

Good for salmon, though, right?
(Glass-half-full)

Excellent for salmon Bill so the glass should actually be 3/4 full in that respect. Wish there was a way to dam up the cold water to 25 miles and the hot water at 30 miles. Maybe we can tow one of them there Canadian ice shelf bergs down yonder to GB area to keep the inside water nice and cool. hmmmm.....

[Bobber Down Fish On]

Now I'm confused. I thought global warming was going to kill us all. What does this mean? Or is the next Al Gore movie going to try and convince us the water is staying colder because of warming. Oh never mind.....