El Nino and La nina Flashcards
El Nino and La nina
El nino and la nina are natural events part of the climate.
They occur when the conditions of the pacific ocean change from its neutral state for a period of time.
La nina is associated with the warming of the pacific
El nino is associated with the cooling of the pacific.
Neutral period
Easterly winds travel east to west near the equator.
Warm water from the tropics is pushed across the Pacific Ocean to Australia and Asia.
Warm water in Asia and Australia evaporate to form clouds and rain.
El Nino
El Niño causes sea temperatures in the western Pacific Ocean to become cooler than normal.
Easterly winds weaken
Warm water stays near South America and Cold water stays near Asia and Australia.
Less moisture enters the atmosphere near Australia which results in drier winters and often drought.
La nina
La Niña causes sea temperatures in the western Pacific Ocean to become warmer than normal.
Easterly winds are stronger.
Pushes more warm water towards Asia and Australia
More moisture enters the atmosphere near Australia, which can bring widespread rain and flooding to Australia.
