La Nina Set to Return

The World Meteorological Organization says a return of La Niña may start affecting global weather patterns this September. La Niña involves cooler-than-normal temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific, which can increase the risk of droughts and floods, potentially impacting crops. Neutral conditions have persisted since March, but forecasts now show a 55 percent chance that La Niña will develop from September through November. The WMO notes that understanding seasonal weather patterns can save millions of dollars across agriculture, energy, health, and transportation, and can help protect thousands of lives through better preparedness.