NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC) released thier latest ENSO Discussion today. The synopsis is El Niño is expected to strengthen and last through the Northern Hemisphere Winter 2009-2010.

El Niño can help to suppress Atlantic hurricane activity by increasing the vertical wind shear over the Caribbean Sea and tropical Atlantic Ocean. In May, the NOAA issued a near normal 2009 hurricane season with nine to fourteen named storms, and four to seven major hurricanes. They are expected to release a new “scaled down” forecast later today.

For more information from the CPC: ENSO Diagnostic Discussion

Tags: forecasting, hurricane