The El Niño phenomenon is an excellent example of the ongoing dialogue between ocean and atmosphere that creates climate. Perturbations in the Pacific can have a ripple effect on climatic conditions in far-flung regions of the globe. As trade winds weaken, the areas of warm water are redistributed, causing shifts in tropical rainfall that can affect wind patterns over much of the globe. For example, during El Niño, increased sea-surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific supply heat energy to evaporate more ocean water and cause more severe tropical storms than is normal on this side of the Pacific. Conversely, cooler sea-surface temperatures in the western Pacific reduce the amount of heat energy available for evaporation and rainfall production and this side of the Pacific is prone to drought conditions.
Which areas of the world tend to experience wetter summer conditions during El Niño?
Which areas of the world tend to experience dryer winter conditions
during El Niño?
Which areas of the world tend to experience wetter winter conditions during
El Niño?
(b.) The next diagrams show anomalies in the United States during the winter, when the impacts of El Niño show up most clearly. Double click on the small images to access larger-scale views. Again, these diagrams are very generalized means and should not be used for forecasting.
According to this diagram, which areas of the U.S. show the largest
anomalies in precipitation during El Niño?
According to this diagram, which areas of the U.S. show the largest anomalies
in temperature during El Niño?