What was the temperature change of the surface waters during this El Nino event?
During an El Niño water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean may rise on average 3 – 5 degrees above average. This happens as the water in seas around Indonesia, referred to as the Pacific Warm Pool are not forced westward due to weakened east to west trade winds.
What changes occur in the Pacific Ocean during El Nino?
An El Niño condition occurs when surface water in the equatorial Pacific becomes warmer than average and east winds blow weaker than normal. The opposite condition is called La Niña. During this phase of ENSO, the water is cooler than normal and the east winds are stronger. El Niños typically occur every 3 to 5 years.
When El Nino warms the Pacific Ocean?
El Niño events happen as warm trade winds heat up the surface waters of the tropical Pacific Ocean. El Niño put a damper on the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada. The weather pattern brought unseasonably warm weather to the normally chilly coastal town.
Was there an El Nino in 1997?
The 1997–98 El Niño was regarded as one of the most powerful El Niño–Southern Oscillation events in recorded history, resulting in widespread droughts, flooding and other natural disasters across the globe.
Was 1997 a La Niña or El Niño year?
El Niño, where the water is warmer than normal, is indicated by the red/yellow colors, and can be seen in 1986-1987, 1991-1992, 1993, 1994, 1997-1998 and 2015-2016. The rapid succession of El Niños beginning in the early 1990’s was unusual. La Niña, where the water is cooler than normal, is indicated by blue colors.
Why was El Nino such a big deal in 1998?
Both 1998 and 1997 had record-setting global mean temperatures and also El Niño. This is because the tropical Pacific loses large amounts of heat to the overlying atmosphere during El Niño.
What months do El Nino occur?
El Niño and La Niña episodes typically last 9-12 months. They both tend to develop during the spring (March-June), reach peak intensity during the late autumn or winter (November-February), and then weaken during the spring or early summer (March-June).
What is happening in La Niña?
La Niña usually leads to increased rainfall in North Eastern Brazil, Colombia and other northern parts of South America and is associated with rainfall deficiency in Uruguay and parts of Argentina. Drier-than-normal conditions are generally observed along coastal Ecuador and North Western Peru.