El Niño Identified as Primary Cause of Low Rainfall Disrupting Panama Canal

Recent study reveals El Niño's significant impact on Panama's 2023 dry season, challenging assumptions about climate change's role.

El Niño doubled the likelihood of low precipitation in Panama during 2023, leading to reduced water levels in Lake Gatun.
The low water levels prompted the Panama Canal Authority to limit the size and number of ships, affecting global shipping.
Climate models indicate that human-caused climate change did not significantly influence the dry conditions experienced last year.
Researchers utilized over 140 years of rainfall data, reinforcing confidence in El Niño's impact on the weather anomaly.
The findings emphasize the importance of natural variability in understanding weather extremes.