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Winter weather in MichiganJan. 8, 2010 Wrap, suggested lead: El Niño, the name for the cyclical warming of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of South America, usually brings warmer winter weather to the continental United States. But as Mark Schwerin reports, this year has been an exception. (1:00/Schwerin/STD) An El Niño event generally brings above normal temperatures to Michigan and other Midwestern states, while a La Niña pattern usually does the opposite. But that didn't happen this year, says Dr. Robert Ruhf (RUHF), a senior research associate in the WMU Mallinson Institute for Science Education, who has a degree in meteorology. (:27/Ruhf.....................................................to do with that.) Ruhf says the El Niño pattern is beginning to fade and could result in a colder February and early March in Michigan. From Western Michigan University, I'm Mark Schwerin. Actualities: CUT ONE: Ruhf says winter so far this year has been warmer that last year, but has been very average in temperature and snowfall. (:29/Ruhf........................................................fairly average.) CUT TWO: Ruhf says this winter has brought much warmer temperatures and less snow than last year. (:39/Ruhf..................................................cold weather either.) CUT THREE: Ruhf says there will be a short warming trend and then colder temperatures will set in and probably last though early March. (:37/Ruhf.............................................................early March.) For additional comments or an interview with Ruhf, call
(269) 387-2447. WMU Radio News Service Media contact: Mark Schwerin, 269 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu |