Very strong El Niño conditions developing, may affect California weather

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center announced that very strong El Niño conditions are currently developing in the Pacific Ocean near the equator, with sea surface temperatures rising more than 4 degrees Celsius above average as of November 12, according to CBS News Bay Area.

El Niño is a climate pattern characterized by warming ocean waters that typically occurs every two to seven years and lasts nine to 12 months. This year's event is considered very strong, although the term 'super El Niño' is not officially recognized by NOAA or the World Meteorological Organization.

The impacts of El Niño vary globally but often include changes in hurricane activity, sea levels, and precipitation patterns, which can lead to flooding, drought, and altered snowfall amounts. These changes can affect industries such as fishing, agriculture, and utilities dependent on rainfall and wind power generation.

For California and the San Jose area, these conditions may influence weather patterns through next spring, potentially leading to significant rainfall or drought conditions. Residents and local agencies are advised to monitor forecasts as the situation develops.