NOAA Says Wet Weather May Return To Colorado In August

DENVER (CBS4) - After a wet spring and early summer things have finally started to dry out across Colorado.

But the latest long-range forecast from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center says that wet weather could make a return during August.

It's all thanks to an El Niño that developed in early March.

El Niño is a warming of waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean and it can have a big impact on global climate patterns.

For Colorado that sometimes can mean wetter-than-normal conditions as the storm track shifts south.

NOAA is calling for cooler and wetter-than-normal conditions during August and forecasters say that trend may last well into the upcoming fall and winter.

There is currently a greater than 90% chance that El Niño will last through the winter season and an 80% chance it could stick with us through early next spring.

Meteorologist Chris Spears writes about stories related to weather and climate in Colorado. Check out his bio, connect with him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @ChrisCBS4.