El Nino predeictions easing.....

Over the last few months, strong El Nino predicaions for the end of 2014 have been concerning us. Much in depth reading has enabled us to get our heads around the process of this weather phenomenon , and more importantaly the consequenses for our circumnavigation trip.

In very basic terms, an El Niño is a phenomenon that occurs irregularly in the tropical Pacific Ocean every two to seven years and affects weather all around the world. It is characterized by the appearance of unusually warm, nutrient-poor water off northern Peru and Ecuador, typically in late December. The effects of El Niño include reversal of wind patterns across the Pacific, drought in Australasia, and unseasonal heavy rain in South America.

The biggest way it would effect our paddle around New Zealand's South Island is by bringing very strong westerly winds to the west coast of New Zealand (and rain!). Consequetilly meaning we would have to sit and wait on land for these extreme spells to pass .. making the Ffiordland section even harder!

However, recently scientists have let us know it is currently weakening and may not be as strong as was initially though earlier this year. We are keeping our fingers crossed this is going to be the case!