Understanding El Niño
El Niño is a climate pattern that describes the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. It is the warm phase of the larger phenomenon called the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
This phenomenon has a significant impact on global weather patterns, including altering precipitation and temperature patterns across the world. It can cause extreme weather conditions such as droughts in some regions and floods in others.
Effects on Weather
The changes in sea surface temperatures influence the patterns of sea level pressure and wind currents. During El Niño, areas such as Southern Africa and Australia may experience drought, whereas regions like the southern United States can experience wetter than normal conditions.
Environmental and Economic Impacts
El Niño can adversely affect agriculture, water supply, and food security, impacting economies globally. Fisheries are particularly affected as warmer ocean waters disrupt marine ecosystems.
To learn more about the effects of climate change and explore ways to mitigate these impacts, visit our comprehensive Climate Change Section.