UN expects cooling La Nina to potentially lower temperatures in 2024

(MENAFN) The United Nations' (UN) weather agency announced on Monday the return of the cooling La Nina weather phenomenon, offering a glimmer of relief from months of scorching temperatures that have set global heat records. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) stated that the impact of La Nina is expected to manifest in the coming months, as the warming El Nino weather pattern, which has contributed to a surge in global temperatures and extreme weather events since mid-2023, appears to be dissipating.

While La Nina's arrival may temporarily lower temperatures, the WMO cautioned that the broader trend of rising global temperatures due to human-induced climate change remains a significant concern. Despite the short-term cooling effect of La Nina, climate change continues to exacerbate extreme weather conditions and disrupt seasonal rainfall and temperature patterns worldwide.

La Nina is characterized by the cooling of ocean surface temperatures across large areas of the tropical Pacific Ocean, accompanied by corresponding changes in winds, precipitation, and atmospheric pressure. In contrast to El Nino, which warms ocean surfaces and can lead to drought in certain regions while causing heavy rainfall in others, La Nina tends to produce opposite climate impacts.

According to the WMO's latest update, there is a 60 percent probability of La Nina conditions occurring from July to September, with a 70 percent likelihood during the August to November period. The agency also noted that the chances of El Nino redeveloping are minimal, indicating a continued predominance of La Nina's cooling influence in the coming months.

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