Good Chance of a Strong El Nino This Winter

El Niño just got bumped up a notch. The latest forecast for California from the Climate Prediction Center calls for a 71 percent chance that a strong El Niño will develop from November through January. That figure is up from 56 percent earlier this summer. NOAA climate scientist Michelle L’Heureux told the San Francisco Chronicle El Niños tend to lead to increased rainfall over the state, but it doesn’t necessarily mean storms will be more intense. While it’s still too early to know how this winter will play out, L’Heureux says to be prudent by preparing for another round of wet winter weather.