Aussie Scientists: La Nina Shows Signs of Weakening

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology says La Nina showed some signs of weakening over the past fortnight as the tropical Pacific Ocean warmed. However, it says the event remains in place and is likely to influence Australian climate over the coming months. It also says weather models signal La Nina will continue to decline, with a neutral ENSO expected during the March-May period.

"Over the past fortnight, sea surface temperatures have warmed across the tropical Pacific, most significantly over the central to eastern Pacific regions, associated with a brief easing of the trade winds," says the bureau. "Other indicators of La Nina, such as the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), and cloudiness over the equatorial Pacific Ocean have generally remained steady at La Nina levels."