COLUMBUS, Ga.- On Thursday afternoon, the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) issued a La Niña Watch for the Northern Hemisphere.

What is La Niña? La Niña occurs when the ocean temperatures begin to cool across the Pacific Ocean. This change in temperature affects the tropical rainfall pattern. Click right on the pictures below to see how the La Niña forms. • Typical Pacific Conditions (WRBL) • La Nina Conditions (WRBL)

What does the watch mean? According the CPC, a La Niña watch is "issued when conditions are favorable for the development of El Niño or La Niña conditions within the next six months". That does not mean they are certain. The Climate Prediction Center says that brief La Niña conditions are possible in fall and early winter.

How does La Niña affect our forecast? La Niña ty

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