Oh boy!

**truth** · 08-19-2004, 08:11 AM

08:40 19Aug2004 UPDATE 1-U.S. agency forecasts weak El Nino in fall, winter

(Adds details, background)
WASHINGTON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - A weak El Nino, the weather anomaly that distorts wind and rainfall patterns worldwide, is expected to develop, affecting U.S. weather this fall and winter, U.S. government weather experts said on Thursday.
El Nino, Spanish for "boy child," is an abnormal warming of water in the Pacific Ocean every four to five years, which can last up to 18 months.
"Although a weak El Nino is likely this fall and winter, impacts should be minor going into late autumn," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in its monthly three-month drought outlook report.
The last El Nino, from May 2002 through March 2003, was blamed for record rainfall in Europe and Australia's worst drought in a century.
In the United States, it aggravated drought in the Plains states and unleashed heavy storms in the south and east.
If an El Nino does develop and persists through the end of the year, NOAA said it may ease drought in the Southwest.
"There should be a slight increase in the chances for above-normal precipitation and increased streamflows over the Southwest this winter and early spring," the agency said.
((Reporting by Randy Fabi; Editing by James Dalgleish; Reuters Messaging: randolph.fabi.reuters.com@reuters.net; Tel: 202 898 8394)) Thursday, 19 August 2004 08:40:47RTRS [nN19257554] {C}ENDS