Is El Nino Back?

 Are We Going Nuts or Is It Just Our Circadian Rhythm?

The answer to that first question is yes—El Nino’s chaos is predicted to raise its evil head in the coming months. That second question is tricky. Chances are our circadian rhythm has been shot by torrential rains and relatively cool temperatures since Hilary hit in August. When you have to check your cell phone every morning to determine what day it is, you know something’s off.

First, we’ll deal with El Nino. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the temperature outlook for the Eastern Sierra is “leaning” above seasonal temperatures and precipitation. Los Angeles’ TV station KTLA reported “there is a greater than 55-percent chance of a ‘strong’ El Nino…. There’s even a chance, about 35-percent, it ends up being one of the strongest ever, like the one we saw in 2015-16 or 1997-98.”

Newsweek’s recent article was even more depressing for those who have grown fond of the East Side’s desert climate. The magazine referenced the Climate Prediction Center’s “100-percent certainty that El Nino will last through early winter with at least a 90-percent chance it will last until spring.”

That brings us to SAD—Seasonal Affective Disorder. It’s a real thing, brought on by shorter days that end way too early with the onset of daylight savings time. An article, published by the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, references a Harry Potter term to describe SAD’s impact, “it’s like a dementor is on you, crushing your soul.” There is some consolation in recognizing SAD will disappear with the longer days and warmer temperatures of Spring. The article recommends “more light” possibly in the form of a lightbox, not isolating yourself and engaging in activities that usually bring you pleasure. Just don’t expect the same degree of pleasure those activities may bring you in June.

Perhaps a more effective prescription for SAD is to remember how much your eight-year-old self enjoyed the onset of winter.