El Nino is a series of climate changes that randomly occur near the equator in the Pacific Ocean. As nutrient poor water near the equator begins to heat up, storm fronts are created that bring heavy rains and extremely high winds towards the California coastline. El Nino storms are often required to replenish the Sierra Snowpack as well as the state's ground water supply. Over the last several years, devastating drought conditions have wreaked havoc across the state causing severe water shortages and forcing legislators to enact laws to prevent wasting of the valuable, natural resource.
The Force of El Nino
El Nino storms are known for their irregularity. They are also known for the severe impact they have on areas where they finally come ashore. High winds that damage property are known to accompany an El Nino storm system causing millions of dollars damage and years of repair work. These ferocious storm systems also bring a massive amount of precipitation. Meteorologists are counting on this aspect of the storms to possibly help relieve California's dire drought situation. Depending on where the storms actually hit land will determine how much they hinder or help the state's recovery. If they fall to far south, Southern California will receive a large share of the moisture, but areas further north will still suffer through the driest of years. If the storms manage to hit land north of the Sierra Mountains, the snowpack that is created will be able to offer a modest amount of relief to areas near the range.
Will There Be Enough Precipitation?
El Nino storms are extremely unpredictable. Meteorologists can only speculate their direction and the amount of precipitation they will deliver using past and probable future weather patterns. The fact is, no one really knows for sure exactly where the storms will hit or how much precipitation will fall. There are many projections out that claim the 2015/2016 El Nino storm fronts could drop more than enough precipitation on California to ease its drought restrictions. Others are not so optimistic. If current weather trends are any indication, the next severe storm front will not be quite as strong as the storms that hit the coast in 1997. The only way anyone will know for sure if the storms will produce enough precipitation is to wait until they have passed and measure the actual water levels.
What Are the Potential Risks Associated with El Nino?
Homeowners are waiting cautiously for the storms to arrive. They are happy to find there may be some relief in sight when it comes to the state's water shortage, but hesitant to find out what kind of damage the storms may cause in the process. Flooding and wind damage are a possibility within storm front that has the strength and power of an El Nino weather system. Homeowners must be thoroughly prepared for both in case the storms bring more than just simple precipitation.
Floods associated with El Nino rains have washed out bridges, roads and highways, leaving behind huge sink holes and other travel nightmares. High winds can damage buildings, tear off roofs and uproot trees. Landslides and other natural disasters are also triggered by the combination of heavy rains and strong winds. Both homeowners and environmentalists are eagerly awaiting the storms to find out whether or not the drought conditions will be alleviated and what kind of cost will be paid due to the damage they cause.
No matter where the storms fall along the California coast, any rain will be welcomed. Meteorologists who are carefully tracking the storms have high hopes that this year's storms may offer some much needed relief for the hardest hit areas. Meanwhile, water saving restrictions will remain in place and California homeowners will be encouraged to do everything they can to conserve the state's water resources.
