BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Still trying to wrap your head around terms like “bomb cyclone” and “atmospheric river”? You’re in good company.

Weather information, forecasts included, can layer science with inscrutable graphics and sometimes confusing terminology. Although this year, the folks at the National Weather Service (NWS) made some changes to try to make it all more understandable. For instance:

· “Extreme” heat watch or warning replaces “Excessive”

· “Freeze” watch and warning replaces “Hard Freeze”

· “Extreme Cold Warning” replaces “Wind Chill” and “Extreme Cold” warnings

· “Apparent Temperature” is now the base term for ambient temperature with less than 3 mph wind, but what about those more enduring terms: El Niño and La Niña?

NWS forecasters tell us that in this final month of 2024, we’re “La Niña Neutral” but headed to a “La Niña Watch.” But what does that mean? Here in the PNW it means that there’s now a greater-than-80% chance La Niña will increase. Starting in January and lasting likely through March, our weather will be colder and wetter than “normal.”

But let’s back up. La Niña is what, exactly? According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA, parent to the National Weather Service, NWS) La Niña conditions occur when Pacific Ocean water near the equator is cooler than normal, and east winds are stronger. That’s in contrast with El Niño, when those trade winds along the southern part of the United States are coming off above-average sea surface temperatures.

Another contrast? La Niña weather patterns are much less frequent than the El Niño patterns. La Niña events typically occur every three-to-five years; however, pattern can last from one to three years. Interestingly, since 2000, there have been five multi-year La Niña patterns.

The bottom line, we can expect a long and cold winter, with snow that may last longer than normal. So now’s a great time—while we’re still “La Niña Neutral”—to prepare. Make sure you’ve got your pipes wrapped, have a radio and batteries, plenty of water and food that doesn’t require heating.

And for those long dark winter days, when there’s lots of time for contemplation, here are a few more odd weather terms to consider: haboob, Crepuscular Rays, and Nieve Penitente. Enjoy!

Amy Cloud is the Public Information Officer (PIO) for the Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management.  She was born and raised locally, leaving for Whitman College and work in Seattle, Knoxville and Washington, D.C. She returned to work as Supervising News Producer and reporter for KVOS-TV’s NewsView before switching to communications for WWU, PeaceHealth and the City of Bellingham. She also co-chairs the Community PIO Group and is a member of the Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues.