Oceanic

On the heels of El Nino, its opposite La Nina may soon arrive, which could increase hurricane activity in the Atlantic Ocean, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). After getting a free pass last year with less activity than expected, Gulf of Mexico oil and natural gas producers in 2007 could be looking at a storm season more on par with the devastating one seen in 2005. In addition, electricity consumers could feel the price pinch if the western drought associated with La Nina episodes reduces hydropower capacity.

On the heels of El Nino, its opposite La Nina may soon arrive, which could increase hurricane activity in the Atlantic Ocean, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). After getting a free pass last year with less activity than expected, Gulf of Mexico oil and natural gas producers in 2007 could be looking at a storm season more on par with the devastating one seen in 2005. In addition, electricity consumers could feel the price pinch if the western drought associated with La Nina episodes reduces hydropower capacity.

Wrapping up the pleasantly weak 2006 Atlantic hurricane season, which officially came to an end last Thursday, forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said the seasonal activity was lower than everyone expected due to the rapid development of El Nino — a periodic warming of the ocean waters in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, which influences pressure and wind patterns across the tropical Atlantic.

Wrapping up the pleasantly weak 2006 Atlantic hurricane season, which officially came to an end Thursday, forecaster at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said the seasonal activity was lower than everyone expected due to the rapid development of El Nino — a periodic warming of the ocean waters in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, which influences pressure and wind patterns across the tropical Atlantic.

While the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) continues to call for a warmer-than-normal winter, Andover, MA-based WSI Corp. said last week that it expects December-February to average cooler-than-normal temperatures in the major cities along the East Coast, with warmer-than-normal readings expected across the western two-thirds of the U.S. The WSI seasonal outlooks reference a standard 30-year norm (1971-2000).

While the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) continues to call for a warmer-than-normal winter, Andover, MA-based WSI Corp. said Tuesday that it expects December-February to average cooler-than-normal temperatures in the major cities along the East Coast, with warmer than normal readings expected across the western two-thirds of the U.S. The WSI seasonal outlooks reference a standard 30-year norm (1971-2000).

Siding more with the 2007 Farmers’ Almanac rather than forecasts released recently by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and EarthSat Energy Weather, AccuWeather.com Long-Range Forecaster Joe Bastardi said last week that he expects the 2006-2007 winter to be colder than normal along the high-energy-demand East Coast and eastern Gulf Coast.

Backing up its preliminary winter 2006-2007 forecasts from October (see NGI, Oct. 16; Oct. 23), meteorologists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Thursday reiterated once again that this season is likely to be warmer than the 30-year norm (1971-2000) across much of the nation, yet cooler than last year’s very warm winter season. If the forecast holds up, natural gas and power prices during this heating season could soften.

Backing up its preliminary winter 2006-2007 forecasts from October (see Daily GPI, Oct. 11; Oct. 23), meteorologists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Thursday reiterated once again that this season is likely to be warmer than the 30-year norm (1971-2000) across much of the nation, yet cooler than last year’s very warm winter season. If the forecast holds up, natural gas and power prices during this heating season could soften.