Dr. Eric J. Fielding, PhDEricFielding@mastodon.social
Sep 6, 2026, 1:03 PMRain woke me up in Pasadena. They predicted some chance of rain today, but it was strong rain for 20 minutes. Radar map from Apple Weather app.
Replies
- Dr. Eric J. Fielding, PhDEricFielding@mastodon.socialSep 6, 2026, 1:20 PM
We never get rain in September. This may be an early sign of the effects of the very strong El Niño on California.
Sep 6, 2026, 1:05 PM@EricFielding How has the Eaton Fire burn scar area been holding up?
- Dr. Eric J. Fielding, PhDEricFielding@mastodon.socialSep 6, 2026, 1:08 PM
@ml The burn scar in the San Gabriel mountains has been hit by strong rain several times. It is very steep and has rain often, so there is little soil to slide.
- Sep 6, 2026, 1:11 PM
@EricFielding Thank you.
Nuwagaba Giftnuwagaba2@mastodon.socialSep 6, 2026, 1:45 PM@EricFielding
That's so bad . We have as well never had rain in September here in Uganda. Though we have had months without rain, it's predicted that we're likely to have it in September . Is there a possibility that a natural disaster equivalent to the El Nino might come our way?- Dr. Eric J. Fielding, PhDEricFielding@mastodon.socialSep 6, 2026, 3:06 PM
@nuwagaba2 I don’t know what effects that the El Niño will have on Uganda. This one is very strong, stronger than any in the last 120 years.
- Dr. Eric J. Fielding, PhDEricFielding@mastodon.socialSep 6, 2026, 3:23 PM
@nuwagaba2 I found this statement from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). It shows a high probability of unusually high rainfall from Somalia south to Kenya. Uganda may be less affected but still get more rain than average.
https://wmo.int/media/news/el-nino-impacts-greater-horn-of-africa - Nuwagaba Giftnuwagaba2@mastodon.socialSep 6, 2026, 4:33 PM
@EricFielding
That's right. We have already witnessed very devastating rains that have destroyed people's crops in some districts and also the nearby villages. This calls for collective action against climate change. Are some some actions being taken there by groups or individuals against climate change? - Nuwagaba Giftnuwagaba2@mastodon.socialSep 6, 2026, 4:34 PM
@EricFielding
Do you think it might happen again in the nearby future? - Dr. Eric J. Fielding, PhDEricFielding@mastodon.socialSep 7, 2026, 1:41 AM
@nuwagaba2 Are you asking about the extra rain this year? The present super El Niño is expected to last until February 2027.
- Nuwagaba Giftnuwagaba2@mastodon.socialSep 7, 2026, 4:43 AM
@EricFielding
No what I mean is that besides that one which is expected to last until 2027, are there chance that another one might happen again in the nearby future without waiting for 20 years? - Dr. Eric J. Fielding, PhDEricFielding@mastodon.socialSep 7, 2026, 9:24 PM
@nuwagaba2 I don’t know enough about the complex ocean-atmosphere interaction that drives the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the Pacific to say anything about the probability of another extreme El Niño in the next two decades. The ENSO cycle usually repeats every 2-3 years, but I don’t know what determines the magnitude of the events. Because the global temperature is increasing, my guess is that the chances of very strong El Niño events is increasing.
- Nuwagaba Giftnuwagaba2@mastodon.socialSep 7, 2026, 9:38 PM
@EricFielding
We need to be prepared for it. We have been struck by the drought that we never saw coming. Many farmer's crops have been devastated which has led to high decrease in the food production of our society.
Among the most affected farmers is a local farmer of four children whom we have been supporting with seeds and other materials to grow food for himself and his children. We're now doing our best to get him food until he can be able to grow his own again
https://gofund.me/3f38fe9d0
