El Nino Already Started on Early September

According to the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as of early September, 2006, conditions for El Nino Phenomenon has already developed and are likely to continue until early 2007. Such condition is the equatorial SST anomalies that is greater than +0.5C that were observed in most of the equatorial Pacific.

As per NOAA Operational Definitions, EL Nino is characterized by a positive Oceanic Nino Index (ONI) greater than or equal to +0.5 C. To be classified as a full-fledged El Niño or La Niña episode these thresholds must be exceeded for a period of at least 5 consecutive months.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said last September 26, 2006 in Geneva that the climatic phenomenon El Niño should gather weak to moderate intensity. However, the organization, whose calculations were based on observations made over the last two (2) months, offered no assessment of the possible consequences of the trend, and even suggested it may dissipate.

El Nino may cause negative effect on the hydro power plant in the regions affected by such Phenomenon.