Atlanta
(2009-07-02)
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But research at Georgia Tech shows the possibility of a relatively new type of El Nino, called El Nino Modoki-- a Japanese word meaning similar, but different.
Peter Weber is a climatologist at Georgia Tech and the study's principle researcher. He says for reasons unknown, the El Nino Modoki is a more predictable pattern.
"It seems to be changing. We're not quite sure if it's because of global warming or a natural oscillation. But the consequences of such a change are rather large."
Despite more hurricanes, there is at least one advantage.
Weber says it allows forecasters to predict hurricane patterns several months sooner than they otherwise would, which one day might lead to more advanced hurricane preparation.
The research appears in the July 3rd Edition of the journal: Science.
Jim Burress, WABE News.
© Copyright 2009, WABE
