El Niño Watch Issued — Could Reduce Number of 2014 Hurricanes

Climatologist note that January was unusually warm and have issued an El Niño Watch. Usually El Niño years mean fewer named storms during the hurricane season.

According to a Weather Channel report an El Niño cycle can occur every two to seven years, when weaker trade winds allow warmer water around the equator in the far eastern Pacific Ocean to emerge. That warmer water changes wind patterns and alters storm cycles around the globe. The report calls for a 50% chance of El Niño formation this year. That usually means fewer than average named storms during the Atlantic Hurricane season. Another indicator of El Niño is colder and wetter conditions along the Gulf Coast during December, January and February.There is no guarantee of El Niño this year or of fewer hurricanes; but this is encouraging news.