El Niño is a climate pattern that occurs in the Pacific Ocean, characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures. This warming disrupts normal weather patterns across the globe, leading to significant impacts on temperature, precipitation, and weather events.
Causes of El Niño
Weakening Trade Winds: Normally, strong trade winds blow from east to west across the Pacific Ocean, pushing warm surface water towards Asia. During El Niño, these winds weaken, allowing warm water to accumulate in the central and eastern Pacific.
Changes in Ocean Circulation: The weakening of trade winds also disrupts ocean currents, leading to a shift in the position of the warm pool of water in the Pacific.
Impacts of El Niño
Changes in Weather Patterns: El Niño can bring heavy rainfall and flooding to some regions, while causing droughts in others.
Temperature Fluctuations: Warmer-than-average temperatures are often experienced in many parts of the world during El Niño.
Impacts on Marine Ecosystems: Changes in ocean temperatures can disrupt marine ecosystems, affecting fish populations and impacting fisheries.
Socioeconomic Impacts: El Niño can have significant socioeconomic impacts, affecting agriculture, fisheries, and human health.
El Niño and La Niña
El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of a larger climate pattern called the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
La Niña is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean.
