The National Weather Service has identified a pattern of elevated sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, which creates a climatic condition known as El Nino. The Weather Service has predicted a high likelihood that a strong El Nino pattern will persist through next spring. A strong El Nino typically results in above-average rainfall for the Bay Area and the rest of California. It’s difficult to predict what this year’s winter weather will bring, but as always it is wise to prepare for the possibility of severe winter storms and flooding.