Lesson 5 - El Nino

Question 1

What is El Nino?

Answer 1

Reversal of pressure systems, atmospheric circulation + weather patterns

Question 2

How often does El Nino occur?

Answer 2

Roughly every 7 years

Question 3

How do Pacific waters behave during El Nino?

Answer 3

Typically Western warmer waters drift back into the East
Due to reversal of trade winds
Upwelling occurs in the West

Question 4

How is the Western Pacific affected by El Nino?

Answer 4

Air descends
Dry conditions + high pressure zones
Drought risk intensifies
Monsoon rains weakened

Question 5

How is the Eastern Pacific affected by El Nino?

Answer 5

Warm air rises
Low pressure + precipitation
Monsoon rains more common

Question 6

How does El Nino affect Peru?

Answer 6

Up to 30cm sea level rise

Question 7

How does El Nino often result in and exacerbate teleconnections?

Answer 7

Upper atmospheric air disturbances
Due to reversal of direction of air travel

Question 8

Which nations are at the most significant risk of drought due to El Nino?

Answer 8

Brazil
India
Indonesia