Will Winter Weather Rock New England?
NOAA scientists have sounded the alarm for a record-breaking El Nino event. This means that chances are strong that we could see a warmer than normal winter season but with more volatile weather. But what does this mean for MA homes and families? Will it affect Massachusetts energy company energy rates? Let’s take a deep dive look into how a super El Nino affects New England’s winter.
How El Nino Affects Winter in MA
El Nino is a natural part of the planet’s climate cycle that shifts from cool to warm every two to seven years. During El Nino periods, the Pacific Ocean along the equator warms by 1-3° celsius. This warming ocean water raises the temperature of the atmosphere. The warmer air weakens westward moving trade winds and switches to blowing east to the Americas. This helps spread the warm ocean water eastwards, as well.
As a result, this pattern brings warm weather to the northern parts of America, including New England. This year’s El Nino could be a “Super El Nino”. In fact, NOAA has not seen one this strong since 1950. Currently, NOAA is forecasting that winter temperatures will likely be above normal and could see more precipitation. And while this El Nino may mean lower bills from MA electric providers, it could also cause big problems.
Why This El Nino Winter May Be Different
El Ninos can also influence ocean tides all over the globe. But this year may be different. For coastal towns and cities, like Boston, it may lead to more high tide flooding and higher storm surges. For this reason, coastal residents will want to call MEMA at 508-820-2001 for advice on preparing for possible floods. At the very least, keep an ear out for flash flood warnings in case you need to evacuate.
El Ninos also tend to move warmer air much further north. So, they’re more likely to disrupt the polar vortex. This makes it more likely for arctic air to slip out and bring bitter cold down to New England. In effect, we could see mild weather followed by “cold advisory warning” days. Such extreme cold snaps may bring severe ice storms to New England, like those in 1997-1998. Boston’s President’s Day storm in February, 2003 dumped 27 inches on the city as the El Nino was waning. So start looking to stock up on ice melt, as well as packing blankets and cold weather gear in your vehicle.
What MA Energy Customers Can Do
For now, it looks like New Englanders may enjoy a warm winter courtesy of El Nino. Still, it’s best to stay ready for the kinds of “wicked” extreme weather that can impact your electric bills. The best way to do that is to shop for the cheapest electricity rates in town right here at https://www.maenergyratings.com.
You can also count on us for the news and tips that could affect your bills.