El Niño over, say Aussies

AUSTRALIAN climate experts on Tuesday confirmed the hot El Niño had dissipated as the Pacific Ocean continued to cool down, but the wet La Niña may develop within three months.

“Sea surface temperatures across the tropical Pacific have been at neutral levels for the past four weeks, with the central Pacific Ocean having recently cooled to levels close to the long-term average,” according to the Bureau of Meteorology of Australia.

“Climate models indicate the Pacific Ocean will continue to cool, with six models suggesting La Niña is likely to form during the austral winter (June-August),” the agency said. Ronnel W. Domingo