State Climatologist David Stooksbury says that while El Nino can suppress Atlantic hurricane activity, which could mean a drier late summer and fall, it also tends to make for a wetter winter.
"Hopefully, this also means that by sometime in early winter, Lanier and Hartwell will be at full pool. El Nino traditionally gives us a cool, wet cool season."
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirms there is an increasing chance for a cool, wet fall and winter in Georgia.
El Nino also means the chance for a lot of tropical rains in Georgia this year has diminished... setting the state up for some more dry weather.
"There's an increased probability that late summer and fall across Georgia will be dry," Stooksbury tells Georgia News Network. "Much of our late summer and fall rainfall comes from tropical activity."
The level of Lake Lanier Tuesday morning was 1066.02 which is less than five feet below full pool. It - like Hartwell - has been steadily recovering from the drought since the first of the year when the water level was 1053.13.
Lake Hartwell. Fall 2007.
Lake Lanier, Holly Park. 10-22-08.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2009/7/221790