Home / Weather / La Niña Weakens: Global Weather Shifts Ahead
La Niña Weakens: Global Weather Shifts Ahead
8 Jan
Summary
- La Niña conditions are weakening, with a 75% chance of neutral weather by March.
- A transition to neutral ENSO will likely bring wetter conditions to Argentina.
- Wetter forecasts for US Plains could benefit winter wheat, corn, and soybeans.
The current La Niña weather pattern is showing signs of weakening. U.S. forecasters indicate a 75% likelihood that the tropical Pacific will transition to ENSO-neutral conditions between January and March. This shift away from the cooler water temperatures associated with La Niña is expected to influence global weather patterns significantly.
The transition back to neutral ENSO conditions is predicted to bring beneficial wetter weather to Argentina, which will particularly favor winter wheat during its upcoming dormancy. This change will also likely result in increased rainfall across the central and southern U.S. Plains later in the summer, improving prospects for the late growth stages of hard red winter wheat, corn, and soybeans.
While La Niña has been present, it has been weak, and experts do not foresee widespread drought conditions impacting global crop areas. Some anticipate a possibility of El Niño conditions developing later in the Northern Hemisphere summer. The overall impact is considered limited due to the weak nature of the current La Niña event.
