What you must know about El Niño-Southern Oscillation

Learn about El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a complex interaction between the ocean and atmosphere in the equatorial Pacific that causes changes in weather patterns around the world. Find out what causes El Niño, how it is related to the Pacific Ocean temperature, how long it lasts and the impacts it can cause. Get tips on how to prepare for an El Niño event including staying informed, planning for potential impacts, preparing for extreme weather, being ready for power outages and other disruptions, being mindful of health risks and collaborating with your community. Be prepared and take preventative actions for El Niño events with our comprehensive guide.

Wath is El Nino?

El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a climate pattern that describes the fluctuations in temperature between the ocean and atmosphere in the east-central Equatorial Pacific. The two ENSO phases are El Nio and La Nia.. During an El Niño event, the sea surface temperature in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean becomes unusually warm, which can lead to changes in global weather patterns and affect the amount of rainfall in various regions. La Niña is the opposite phase of ENSO, characterized by unusually cold sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. ENSO can have significant impacts on weather and climate around the world, including changes in precipitation and temperature patterns, and can affect agriculture, fishing, and water resources.

What causes el niño?

El Niño is caused by a complex interaction between the ocean and atmosphere in the east-central Equatorial Pacific. Normally, trade winds blowing from east to west push warm surface water towards the western Pacific, causing it to pile up and creating an area of high sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the western Pacific. At the same time, these winds also drive the upwelling of cool, nutrient-rich water from the deeper ocean in the eastern Pacific.

During an El Niño event, the trade winds weaken or even reverse direction, allowing the warm water that has accumulated in the western Pacific to flow back towards the east. This causes the SSTs in the eastern Pacific to rise, which in turn leads to a reduction in the amount of upwelling and a decrease in the amount of cool water in the eastern Pacific. This warming of the ocean surface can cause changes in the atmospheric circulation, leading to changes in weather patterns around the world.

ENSO events are irregular, with a cycle of 2-7 years, but it is known that the Pacific Ocean temperature is the main driver of the ENSO phenomenon, however it is not fully understood the exact causes of the start of the event.

What is Thunderstorm?

What is Thunderstorm?

A thunderstorm is a weather phenomenon characterized by the presence of thunder, lightning, and heavy rain or snow. Thunderstorms are caused by the rapid rising of warm, moist air, which creates a cumulonimbus cloud. As the cloud grows, it can reach heights of over 20,000 feet and temperatures as low as -70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Inside the cloud, there are strong updrafts and downdrafts that can cause the water droplets and ice particles within the cloud to collide and create static charges. When the charges become large enough, they can create a lightning bolt. Thunder is caused by the rapid heating of the air around a lightning bolt, which creates a shock wave that we hear as thunder.

Thunderstorms can also produce other hazards such as strong winds, hail, and tornadoes. They can cause damage to property, injury or death, and disrupt transportation and power systems. Thunderstorm can be classified by their severity and by the amount of lightning activity, and can be measured by radar, satellite, and ground-based instruments.

How long does el nino last?

El Niño events typically last 9 to 12 months, but can occasionally last as long as two years. The duration of an event can vary depending on the strength of the event and other factors such as wind patterns and ocean currents. The onset of an El Niño event is typically gradual, and it can take several months for the ocean and atmosphere to fully adjust to the change in conditions. Similarly, the end of an El Niño event is also usually gradual, and it can take several months for the ocean and atmosphere to return to normal conditions.

It's important to note that once an El Niño event ends, it doesn't mean that the effects are over, there may be impacts that continue for a period of time. Additionally, when an El Niño event ends, it can lead to the development of a La Niña event, which is characterized by unusually cold sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. La Niña events can last anywhere from 6 to 18 months.

What to do in  El Niño Preparedness Event?

El Niño events can have significant impacts on weather and climate around the world, and it's important to be prepared for the potential effects. Here are a few things that can be done to prepare for an El Niño event:

1. Stay informed: Keep up to date on the latest forecasts and predictions for the El Niño event, and pay attention to any warnings or watches issued by local weather authorities.

2. Plan for potential impacts: El Niño can cause changes in precipitation and temperature patterns, which can affect agriculture, fishing, and water resources. Consider how these changes might affect your community and plan accordingly.

3. Prepare for extreme weather: El Niño can increase the likelihood of extreme weather events such as heavy rain, flooding, and landslides. Take steps to protect your property and prepare for the possibility of evacuation.

4. Be ready for power outages and other disruptions: El Niño can cause disruptions to power and transportation systems. Make sure you have a plan in place in case of power outages and other disruptions.

5. Be mindful of health risks: El Niño can also increase the risk of certain health problems, such as respiratory infections. Take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones, and know where to go for medical care if needed.

6. Collaborate with community: Reach out to local organizations, such as community groups, and participate in coordinated preparedness efforts.

It's important to note that it's always better to be prepared and take preventative actions, rather than to wait for the event to happen and then react to it.

Here are a few links that may be useful for more information on El Niño and El Niño preparedness:

1. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) El Niño and La Niña page: https://www.climate.gov/enso

2. World Meteorological Organization (WMO) El Niño and La Niña page: https://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/wcp/wcasp/enso/index_en.html

3. International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) El Niño and La Niña page: http://iri.columbia.edu/our-expertise/climate/forecasts/enso/current/

4. United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) El Niño and La Niña page: https://www.unisdr.org/we/inform/publications/4221

5. Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre El Niño and La Niña page: https://www.climatecentre.org/what-we-do/el-nino-and-la-nina

These links provide detailed information on the causes, impacts and forecasts of El Niño and La Niña events, as well as practical advice on how to prepare and respond to these events.

In conclusion, El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a complex interaction between the ocean and atmosphere in the equatorial Pacific that can cause significant changes in weather patterns around the world. Preparing for an El Niño event is important to minimize its potential impacts on agriculture, fishing, water resources, transportation, power systems, and health. To prepare for an El Niño event, it is important to stay informed, plan for potential impacts, prepare for extreme weather, be ready for power outages and other disruptions, be mindful of health risks, and collaborate with the community. With the right knowledge, information, and preparation, we can reduce the risks and negative impacts of El Niño events.