temperatures will return to normal. But the el Nino did not diminish with last year's increased snow cover, and our best computer models do not predict next month's weather reliably-let alone next summer and winter's weather. Perhaps as we learn more about the manifold interactions and tweak our predictive programs, we can come to a better understanding of weather patterns and make reliable predictions-both of weather and climactic changes.
Albert Burchsted is a field biologist recently retired from the College of Staten Island, part of the City University of New York. He lives in Niantic and can be reached via e-mail at al.burchsted@gmail.com.Â
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