La Niña has finally emerged," L'Heureux said. "It took its time, but we are there. Changes to the atmosphere created by the ocean's cooling alters weather patterns worldwide.
In the US, it means more storms strike the Pacific Northwest leaving the southern US, particularly parts of California, drier, while the northern Great Plains gets cooler.
Globally, the phenomenon can raise drought risk in agricultural areas of Argentina and Brazil and bring heavier rainfall across parts of Indonesia and northern Australia.
There is a 60% chance La Niña will likely fade by the March, April, and May timeframe, impacting weather patterns and drought conditions during that period.
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