For example, the media should not over exaggerate weather forecasts that may be off, Recalde said. Also, Phillips hopes that governments and relief workers will warn farmers to react with caution to forecasts. For example, they should be encouraged to plant drought-resistant crops, not to withdraw from farming altogether, she said. Disaster relief organizations also can take some lessons from the event. Even when forecasts hit the mark, they often failed to mitigate.
Relief organizations remain at the mercy of donors to respond to the forecasts first, they say.
El Nino delivered flooding to China. But, perhaps they could draw support in advance, as forecasts become more specific. Despite the disappointments of weather forecasts, both disaster workers and weather scientists remain optimistic that more accurate predictions will one day help the world cope with El Nino's spell.