Why is it in the news?
- The National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed the end of El Nino conditions that have been present since mid-2023.
- These conditions have now transitioned to the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) neutral phase.
ENSO
- ENSO is a recurring climate pattern characterized by changes in sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
- The cycle occurs irregularly every 2 to 7 years.
- It includes extreme phases: El Nino (warm phase), La Nina (cold phase), and a neutral phase between them.
- During ENSO Neutral Phase, sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific are near average.
| About El Nino
· El Nino, meaning “the Christ Child,” involves warming of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Key Impacts: · Suppresses rainfall over India during the monsoon season. · Brings rain to South America and results in droughts in Indonesia and Australia. About La Nina · La Nina, referring to “Little Girl,” represents the periodic cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the east-central equatorial Pacific. Key Impacts: · Opposite effect to El Nino, associated with a strong monsoon, above-average rains, and colder winters in certain regions. |
