Scientists stumped by unusual weather patterns

SALT LAKE CITY — Scientists around the world are taking a look at some unusual weather patterns in the Atlantic Ocean.

Weather patterns in the Atlantic Ocean typically affect the Northeastern part of the United States. Utah, on the other hand, is typically influenced by Pacific Ocean weather patterns. 

Patterns like El Niño and La Niña are usually watched by scientists. But now, they are being watched even closer.

Recently, the weather switched from El Niño to La Niña, or warm water temperatures to cold water temperatures. The change was so sudden scientists are still trying to figure out what it means.

KSL Meteorologist Matt Johnson says even taking a look at all 40 years of data, there’s no explanation for these unusual weather patterns. 

Usually, it’s a southeast wind flow that brings cooler water up to the surface of the ocean. This time it’s the northern wind that is bringing the cooler temperatures. 

“Climatologists are seeing a little La Niña start to set up in the Atlantic Ocean, which is off the coast of Northeast Brazil, but that weather does not impact on the global scale,” Johnson said. 

This sudden cooling northern wind is not expected to have a global impact based on past data. But scientists still don’t know how it’ll impact the Northeastern U.S. or what it says about the future of our climate.