🌊 La Niña is Over

🌊 La Niña is Over

On April 10, NOAA announced that La Niña is over, and ENSO-neutral conditions returned in March and are currently present. ENSO-neutral conditions are likely to last through the summer, with more than a 50% chance of lasting through August-October. Chances for El Niño or La Niña increase later in the year, with La Niña chances about double those of El Niño, but neutral is still the highest probability through the early winter. According to NOAA, ESNO forecasts made in the spring are known to be less accurate than forecasts made throughout the rest of the year, an effect called the “spring predictability barrier”. Typical ESNO-neutral conditions provide fewer changes in the jet stream, meaning more regional patterns may dominate local weather.

Emily Becker, Climate.gov

🪳 Pests are Moving to Cooler Regions Due to Climate Change

As the climate changes, insects and mites are moving to regions with cooler climates where they can survive winters and breed more often. Tropical species are advancing to more temperate zones, with higher latitudes becoming more vulnerable. Currently, about 40% of global crop production is lost due to pests and diseases, creating a major challenge for global food security. Intensive agricultural practices meant to protect the crops actually decrease the biodiversity of the ecosystem, leading to fewer predators and more pests. Periods of drought or heatwaves which are becoming more common with climate change can also spark outbreaks of pests.

Jordan Joseph, Earth.com

🌡️ March Records Broken

March 2025 was the second warmest March on record globally. The average surface air temperature was 1.6C above pre-industrial levels. It was Europe’s hottest March ever on record at 2.41C above normal. Some portions of Europe experienced their driest March on record, while other areas in Europe experienced their wettest March on record. At the same time, Arctic sea ice hit a record low for March monthly extent. This was 6% below average in the 47-year satellite record. It was also the lowest annual maximum extent ever recorded in the region. The correlation between the two is critical as sea ice plays a crucial role in reflecting sunlight and regulating the planet's temperature.

Nathan Howes, The Weather Network

What’s in the works for ClimateWatch?

Our goal is to bring you the latest in climate issues, trends, forecasts, innovations, and more. One way we’re hoping to do that in the future is by including an in-depth analysis from one of our experts! Stay tuned for that, you won’t want to miss it.