CALIFORNIA – Forecasters at the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a La Niña Watch last week based on its analysis and computer model runs. According to the latest forecast update, the chances of a La Niña weather system developing this year has jumped to over 70 percent. 

La Niña is a climate pattern that frequently occurs following El Niño. Where El Niño is characterized as a warm phase of ocean surface temperatures that brings heavy rainfall to the western U.S., La Niña is the follow-up cooling phase. Together, El Niño and La Niña create the El Niño Southern Oscillation.

So what can be expected from a La Niña system? While forecasting precisely can be difficult, the following La Niña conditions could beset growers:

• Increased hurricane activity in the North Atlantic
• A weaker, wavier jet stream that brings more rain and storms to northern states
• Increased tornado activity 
• Above-average precipitation across the northern Midwest and the northern Rockies
• A cooler, snowier winter in Canada
• Less rain and snowfall across the West Coast 

California is still in a state of severe drought despite this year’s near-record El Niño rainfall, and the La Niña system could potentially make for a dry autumn when the state normally replenishes its water supply. And unlike El Niño, which lasts less than one year, La Niña systems can persist for one to three years, National Geographic reports.

Meteorologists from The Weather Network said it's still too early to tell exactly how strong the La Niña system could be or how long it could last, but we’ll keep you updated on how Mother Nature is shaping the California produce industry at AndNowUKnow.