_Module 4 second class activity- El Nino (1)
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105
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Geography
Date
Jan 9, 2024
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Pages
3
Uploaded by CoachSummerStarling36
Module 04, Activity 02
DeFever, Camden
GEOG 104: Principles of Physical Geography
The Impact of El Niño and La Niña
Learning Objectives
This exercise is designed to illustrate how sensitive the Earth's climate system is to
ocean surface temperature. In your reading, you were introduced to a unique ocean climate
condition called El Niño & La Niña or ENSO. These conditions lead to important
climatic effects all over the globe.
Background
First, you need to know how El Niño/La Niña is defined. On September 30th, 2003, the
National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other researchers
reached a consensus to define these events more clearly.
In the Equatorial Pacific Ocean (120W-170W, 5N-5S), “Normal” sea surface
temperatures are defined as the average temperature over years 1971-2000.
El Niño exists if sea surface temperatures measured over a 3-month period are
0.5° warmer than normal.
La Niña exists if sea surface temperatures measured over a 3-month period are
0.5° cooler than normal.
Part I.
What is El Niño?
Use the information you can find on the following website.
http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/tao/elnino/nino-home.html
Write a summary (less than 100 words) describing wind circulation and characteristics of the
Pacific Ocean during El Nio events.
Hot ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific characterize El Niño. El Niño can make the
Pacific have significant consequences that affect global weather. During the El Niño events, the
winds weaken, which allows warm water to fill in the Pacific Ocean, while the cooler water leads
to the west. The wind can often move in different directions because the high-pressure system
weakens the western Pacific, but the low pressure strengthens the eastern Pacific. El Nio can also
affect the ocean currents. Because of this the marine life is impacted majorly and disrupts the
typical patterns of the currents.
Review the map shown above.
Summarize the impact on North American climate during the winter months (Dec-Feb),
due to El Niño, according to this map. How does this change during the summer months?
According to the map, North America's climate is wet and cool during winter. However, the
northwestern continent has a warmer climate during this time. In the summer, the climate
changes to warm/dry and is not shown on the map.
Using the same map, what is the impact on Australia's conditions (Dec-Feb)
The winter months in Australia are shown as warm and dry climates, which is the opposite of
North America at that time.
Part II. What is La Niña?
Use the information you can find on the following website.
http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/tao/elnino/nino-home.html
Write a summary (less than 100 words) describing wind circulation and characteristics of the
Pacific Ocean during La Niña events.
Frigid ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific characterize La Niña. During La
Niña, the wind's strengthen, which causes cool water to move from the western Pacific Ocean to
the eastern Pacific Ocean. In the eastern Pacific, the water is more relaxed, causing the
atmosphere to become more stable, leading to less rainfall. When this happens, it can cause
droughts or even floods in some areas.
Review the map shown above.
Summarize the impact on North American climate during the winter months (Dec-Feb),
due to El Niño, according to this map. How does this change during the summer months?
According to the map, North America's climate is wet and cool during winter. However, the
northwestern continent has a warmer climate during this time. In the summer, the climate
changes to warm/dry and is not shown on the map.
Using the same map, what is the impact on Australia's conditions (Dec-Feb)
The winter months in Australia are shown as warm and dry climates, which is the opposite of
North America at that time.
Part III. What are the Current Conditions?
In less than 100 words, summarize recent conditions. Is an El Nino or La Nina Present?
According to the Climate Prediction Center, El Nino conditions are present and are
expected to strengthen in the North winter by 2023-2024. El Nino is supposed to continue on
through the winter. La Nina is not present at the time.
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