The atmosphere finally coupled with the equatorial East Pacific warming the past 7 weeks as demonstrated by a persistent negative phase of the southern oscillation index. The evolving El Nino climate helped to inspire heavy precipitation events.

The Bureau of Meterology/Australia annouces an EL Nino Alert today. Meanwhile 2 tropical cyclones are likely to cause damaging high wind and flooding to northeast/north and northwest portions of Australia.

Tropical Storm Trevor intensifies to a category 1 tropical cyclone and strikes northeast Australia tomorrow then weakens over land before re-emerging to the north of Australia later this week when strengthening to a category 2 tropical cyclone is possible before a scecond landfall.

From Kansas to Indiana 8-9 seperate days of wind gusts exceeding 40 mph have occurred since February 1st. Included are wind gusts exceeding 70 mph (in non-tornado events). A much stronger than normal jet stream is contibuting to this regime which continues into April.