If you’re considering installing a new drainage system, experts say now may be the time to start preparing. Southern California could be headed for an unusually wet winter as a powerful El Niño develops in the Pacific Ocean. The weather pattern could increase the risk of flooding, damaging surf, and coastal erosion across the region. Experts at UCLA say ocean temperatures in the eastern tropical Pacific are reaching record levels for this time of year, providing a major signal that a strong El Niño could develop in the months ahead. El Niño occurs when unusually warm ocean temperatures develop in the central and eastern Pacific, influencing weather patterns around the world. For California, stronger events can bring periods of heavy rain, powerful waves, and coastal impacts. Forecasters are watching the developing conditions closely as the winter season approaches. Residents in flood-prone areas may want to review drainage systems, clear storm drains, and prepare for potentially significant rainfall and coastal flooding.____
