El Niño Could Be Worse Than Predicted

According to a story on the New Scientist web site, the projected El Niño in the Pacific could be worse than at first projected.

The El Niño phenomenon takes place every few years when temperatures in the Pacific rise above normal, having a major effect on weather patterns in South America. The last El Niño in 1997 brought unseasonal snow to the Andes and had a big impact on the nature of big snow and ice routes in the following years.

The approach to the classic peak of Alpamayo in Peru, for example, went from being a straighforward steep snow climb to a precarious passage through a series of crevasses and seracs after heavy rain apparently carved its way through the glacier.

There have already been floods in South America this year and a number of climbers have died in avalanches on South American peaks, though it's unclear whether this is linked to the phenomenon. Huascaran, where four Austrians were killed, for example, is notoriously threatened by avalanches especially early in the season.

If you're planning a trip to the Andes this summer then, be aware that weather patterns may not be as settled as usual and keep an eye on what's going on. See the New Scientist story.