“It’s Florida, it never gets cold,” they say. Well, it’s about to get cold. According to the NOAA, the El Niño pattern in the Pacific Ocean will bring exceptionally cooler temperatures to Florida this year. El Niño is a natural occurrence in the Pacific Ocean where warm waters from the eastern Pacific flow to the western Pacific as a result of weaker Trade Winds. El Niño shifts and strengthens what is known as the Polar Jet stream, a strong line of winds that bring Arctic air south. So, El Niño’s effect on the Polar Jet Stream will likely give the northern United States a dryer and warmer winter and the southern U.S. a wetter and cooler winter. The increased wetness also increases the likelihood of flooding in the Tampa Bay Area. While El Niño has nationwide effects, the Tampa Bay area will be especially impacted because of its location. So, buckle up, get those raincoats and puffer jackets out, and get ready for a wet and cold winter.