The incredible strength of El Niño »Godzilla»

El Niño weather changes

El Niño is a meteorological phenomenon that changes the movement patterns of ocean currents. It is repeated every 3 or 7 years, but it is believed that due to global warming, it will increasingly be noticed around the world.

A few decades ago, around 1997, it was very devastating. However, NASA believes that the one in 2016 may be even bigger and more powerful, to the point that they have called it "Godzilla."

What is the El Niño phenomenon and what does it consist of?

El Niño phenomenon in climatology

This phenomenon is related to the warming of Pacific waters, which are heated between 1 to 3ºC compared to normal, every 3 or 7 years. This oscillating heating and cooling pattern is known as the ENSO (or ENSO) cycle. It directly affects the rainfall pattern in tropical areas, but can have a great influence on the climate in other parts of the world. Both El Niño (related to warming) and La Niña (related to water cooling) are the extreme phases of the ENSO cycle, with a third phase called Neutral, during which normal temperatures are recorded.

History of El Niño

The name of the phenomenon El Niño (referring to the child Jesus), was given by Peruvian fishermen to a warm stream that appears every year around Christmas, thus favoring the arrival of numerous fish. They considered it a divine gift, so they soon began to identify this change in sea temperature with the name of El Niño.

However, in the 60s they began to realize that it was not a local phenomenon in Peru, but that it affected the entire tropical Pacific, even beyond. It is currently known that it can affect the climate of the whole world during its entire phase. The entire ENSO cycle lasts between 3 and 7 years, as we said. In these years, there are warm phases that last between 8 and 10 months each (El Niño), neutral phases and there may also be some cold phase (La Niña). ENSO is a highly variable cycle, both in intensity and duration. In fact, it is not yet known for sure what the causes of these changes are.

El Niño detection systems

El Niño is detected by different methods, highlighting the satellites, floating buoys and ocean analysis. Researchers are continuously obtaining data on the conditions on the surface of the seas, as well as on the wind in the equatorial zone.

How does it influence the weather?

Consequences of El Niño

Once developed, significant changes in temperatures and rainfall patterns occur in many parts of the globe. These changes occur because affect wind patterns in the atmosphere. In the case of the tropics, the air that rises to form rain clouds in one place must move to another point due to the force of gravity. In the rest of the world, the alteration in the wind can also cause droughts in some corners, or heavy rains in others.

To know and understand to what extent it can influence the global climate, let's see what are its consequences:

Globally

  • Records Of temperature
  • Appearance of diseases difficult to eradicate
  • Lost of animal and plant species
  • Exchanges in atmospheric circulation

South America

  • Periods very humid, during which the rains are very intense.
  • Heating of the Humboldt Current.
  • Decreased atmospheric pressure.

Southeast Asia

  • Droughts documents.
  • Ocean temperature baja.
  • Limited cloud formation.

Anyway, keep in mind that no two El Niño are alike, and that seasonal changes as well as different weather patterns can vary from case to case. Thus, when it develops, it cannot be guaranteed that the affected areas will be the same as last time, but there will simply be a higher probability, but it will not be certain that they will be the same again.

The Child »Godzilla»

Pacific Ocean

As the planet warms, favors the appearance of more and more powerful cycloness. Warm temperatures have a direct influence on El Niño, so there are undoubtedly some very fidgety. In the Northern Hemisphere in 2016, temperatures were higher than usual: at the North Pole they had 2ºC when the normal is -26ºC. On the other hand, in the Southern Hemisphere and specifically in Sonora (Mexico) snow fell for the first time in 33 years. In Latin America, the abundant rains during the first quarter of the year were the protagonists of that part of the world.

In addition to thermometers, experts also they looked at the height of the Pacific Ocean. As you can see in the image, the 97 situation is almost identical to what we had at the end of 2015.

According to NASA, El Niño 2016 shows no signs of wanting to dissipate. Usually, its effects are felt in the Northern Hemisphere throughout the spring, but they diminish as the months go by. But this time it is likely to be different.

The consequences will be felt especially in South America, but "no matter where you live, you will feel the effects of the phenomenon," said NASA.

Given this phenomenon, little can be done. It is best to try to adapt as best you can, and be attentive to the weather warnings to avoid problems.


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