![Picture](/uploads/2/6/5/8/26588529/720458096.jpg)
This image shows the change of sea surface temperature from normal conditions. The bright red colors (water temperatures warmer than normal) in the Eastern Pacific indicates the presence of El Niño.
One of the most noticeable aspects of our weather and climate is its variability, or its ability to change. These changes range from
El Niño is one of these naturally occurring phenomenon. The term El Niño (the Christ child) comes from the name South American sailors called a periodic ocean current because it was observed immediately after Christmas. It marked a time with poor fishing conditions as the nutrient rich water off the northwest coast of South America remained very deep (no upwelling).
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One of the most noticeable aspects of our weather and climate is its variability, or its ability to change. These changes range from
- small-scale phenomena such as wind gusts, thunderstorms and tornadoes
- larger-scale features such as fronts and storms to multi-seasonal
- multi-year, multi-decade and even multi-century time scales.
El Niño is one of these naturally occurring phenomenon. The term El Niño (the Christ child) comes from the name South American sailors called a periodic ocean current because it was observed immediately after Christmas. It marked a time with poor fishing conditions as the nutrient rich water off the northwest coast of South America remained very deep (no upwelling).
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El Nino vs La Nina Conditions
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/5/8/26588529/967695612.jpg?494)
Normal Conditions
Normally, sea surface temperature is about 14°F higher in the Western Pacific than the waters off South America.
This is due to the trade winds blowing from east to west along the equator allowing the upwelling of cold, nutrient rich water from deeper levels off the northwest coast of South America.
Also, these same trade winds push water west which piles higher in the Western Pacific (downdwelling).
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Normally, sea surface temperature is about 14°F higher in the Western Pacific than the waters off South America.
This is due to the trade winds blowing from east to west along the equator allowing the upwelling of cold, nutrient rich water from deeper levels off the northwest coast of South America.
Also, these same trade winds push water west which piles higher in the Western Pacific (downdwelling).
More ...
Animation of El Nino La Nina (requires Flash)