April Fools

Nature is playing April Fools because yesterday and the day before it was really warm for spring. Now today it's going to be really cold by the time it gets to night fall. And then it's supposed to snow. This cold weather front is caused by la nina.

A La Niña event occurs when cooler than normal sea surface temperatures form along the equator in the Pacific Ocean, specifically in the eastern to central Pacific. The La Niña we are experiencing now has a significant presence in the eastern part of the ocean.

The cooler water temperatures associated with La Niña are caused by an increase in easterly sea surface winds. Under normal conditions these winds force cooler water from below up to the surface of the ocean. When the winds increase in speed, more cold water from below is forced up, cooling the ocean surface.The changes in rainfall affect the strength and location of the jet stream -- the strong winds that guide weather patterns over the United States. Since the jet stream regulates weather patterns, any changes to it will have a great impact on the United States.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080114085128.htm

http://www.erglobalscience.blogspot.com/