Japanese weather officials monitoring the El Nino phenomenon say the sea surface temperature off Peru was 4.4 degrees Celsius higher than normal in October, surpassing the record set the previous month.
El Nino refers to the phenomenon in which sea surface temperatures off Peru, in the equatorial region of the eastern Pacific, rise above normal. It is believed to be one of the factors for extreme global climate.
The Japan Meteorological Agency says the phenomenon has been continuing since the spring of this year.
In September, the difference in sea surface temperature from normal was the largest since the agency began compiling data. But the figure in October was even greater.
The agency says El Nino has been developing into record strength. It expects the phenomenon to peak in January and continue for several more months through spring.
This year’s El Nino has been dubbed “Super El Nino” and “Godzilla El Nino” abroad.
Japan is likely to have a warm winter because of the phenomenon, but the Pacific coast of eastern Japan, all of western Japan, Okinawa and the Amami region could get more precipitation than normal due to inflows of moist air. Precipitation on the Pacific coast of northern Japan will likely be normal or above normal.
Kyoda Masayuki, who heads the agency’s Center for Information on Climate Extremes, says a warm winter is forecast nationwide, but areas along the Sea of Japan could get heavy snow due to temporary inflows of cold air.
He is urging people to be on alert for the latest weather information, as this is a record-breaking El Nino.
El Nino blamed for more typhoons in Pacific
The El Nino phenomenon, which began earlier this year, is affecting the climate around the world including Japan.
The phenomenon has been linked to the increase in typhoons and tropical storms in the Pacific.
As of Tuesday, Japan has had 32 typhoons and tropical storms this season, the highest number since 1994.
The Japan Meteorological Agency says when El Nino occurs, easterlies meander near the equator, creating vortexes of air that make it easier for typhoons to emerge.
At least 18 of the 32 storms that occurred this year are believed to have been spawned from such vortexes.
From June through August, there were 17 typhoons and tropical storms, far above the average number of 11.
The agency says it is possible that the powerful El Nino this year triggered more typhoons.
The phenomenon has brought extreme weather across the globe.
Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia have had higher-than-average temperatures and less rain, while Chile and other South American countries have had downpours.
Source: www3.nhk.or.jp
