What El Nino can do for you...

Courtesy NOAA

Not to rub it in or anything, but while the eastern two-thirds of the country has been nailed with snow and cold, we have had a relatively mild winter. So what gives? Well, you can blame our friend El Nino. El Nino is climatic event tied to sea-surface warming in the tropical Pacific Ocean. This warming leads to blah, blah, blah... I'll let the experts explain the rest here.

The impacts of El Nino on the U.S. differ from region to region. Out here in Portland, a strong El Nino year can cause above normal temperatures and below normal rainfall. Well, we are slightly above normal for this winter's temperatures (PDX). For example, in January Portland was 5 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. Right now we are below normal for precipitation.

Oklahoma City, on the other hand, has a different response to El Nino. In strong El Nino years, OKC can see below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation. Our friends back in OKC can attest to the cold temperatures and snowfall. In fact, Oklahoma City is half a foot away from an all-time snow record!

So, while you are stuck in your house, suffering from severe cabin fever, start making plans to visit the Pacific Northwest. That is if you can get a flight.