The Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) has become the de-facto standard that NOAA uses for identifying El Niño (warm) and La Niña (cool) events. El Nino continues to do its thing in a predictable pattern.
As per cyclical data, 2010 will extend the current warm cycle burned into Seattle’s memory during the summer of 2009.
Residents in Western Washington suffered greatly in the stifling heat of 2009. Fortunate homeowners added air conditioning and found refuge from the heat – actually enjoying full nights of sleep. Unfortunately, many area residents were not so lucky and suffered for days on end. Forget about ducking into a hotel room for the night – they were full. Adding air conditioning at the last minute didn’t work well because the best contractors were backed up.
We will know within the next few months if 2010 will bring another sweltering summer – and possibly new record highs.
