Powerful Storm in the Western U.S.; Heavy Rain and Flooding Threat Across the Central Gulf Coast

A powerful storm system will continue to bring heavy mountain snow, rain, and high winds to the Pacific Northwest and northern California through midweek. Heavy rain and flash flooding potential exists across the central Gulf Coast over the next few days, including the Florida Panhandle. A Slight Risk (level 2 of 4) of excessive rainfall is in effect Tuesday. Read More >

PEAC Research

A major focus of ongoing applied research at PEAC is the investigation of statistical correlations between ENSO and sea level. Seasonal sea level forecasts, discussion and verification are issued every 3 months in the Pacific ENSO Update newsletter.

Statistical studies on regional climatology and the ENSO cycle are underway at the University of Guam (UOG) and the University of Hawaii (UH). This cooperative research activity is being led by the Water and Environmental Research Institute (WERI) of the UOG, through a sub-grant from PEAC. The studies aim to develop ENSO-related impact criteria for the Islands, through examination of:

Historical floods and droughts, their causes, impacts on agriculture, and other information concerning water resources in each regional area;
The pattern of severe weather phenomena such as hurricanes and typhoons in each regional area;
The distribution of commercially important fish species within each regional area, in cooperation with NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service; and
Relationships with the ENSO cycle, with an aim for developing predictive forecasts of 6 - 18 month lead times for the region.