The La Niña has returned. This will be the second La Niña winter in a row. This means there will be another cold winter in the Northern Hemisphere. It also will create floods and droughts for Southern Hemispheric nations during their growing seasons.

The early arrival of the La Niña means little to no drought relief for Texas but fewer tropical storms hitting the East Coast.

There is a high probability that late fall, winter and early spring will be as extreme in Europe, North and South America as it was last winter. In Asia, the Indian Ocean Dipole has changed - so there will be problems for East Asia, Australia and East Africa, but not as severe as last winter.

The current negative phase of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and the weather patterns created by large eruptions of polar volcanoes will make even a moderate La Niña have the extreme weather impact of a strong La Niña.

A negative PDO produces a higher risk of winter and spring drought in north, affecting winter wheat, and central China, which interferes with corn and soybean planting.

David Fuller's view This is one of the most eagerly awaited publications available. We are all interested in the weather and certainly affected by it.

Evelyn Browning Garriss gave a terrific presentation at the 49th Annual Contrary Opinion Forum earlier this month. She has a dry wit and the slides were superb.

She also has a great track record so I am not looking forward to that cold winter.