6/2(Mon) La Nina
#LaNina
#The_girl
#ElNino
#theboy
#cool_phase
La Niña is a climate phenomenon characterized by unusually cold sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, often having significant effects on global weather patterns.
It is essentially the cool phase of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, with El Niño being the warm phase.
What Is La Niña?
• Name Meaning: Spanish for “the girl,” and the counterpart to El Niño (“the boy”).
• Where It Happens: Mainly in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, especially off the coast of South America extending westward.
• Typical Conditions:
• Stronger-than-normal trade winds (easterly winds).
• Cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central/eastern Pacific.
• Warm water piles up in the western Pacific (near Indonesia and Australia).
• Upwelling of cold water along the South American coast intensifies.
Global Climate Effects of La Niña
Region Typical Impacts
Southeast Asia & Australia Wetter than normal, increased risk of flooding and cyclones
South America (Peru, Ecuador) Drier and cooler – drought risk increases
United States (winter) - Northwest: Cooler and wetter - South: Warmer and drier
Africa (Horn, Sahel) Can bring above-normal rains or drought, depending on location
Atlantic hurricane season More active than usual due to reduced wind shear
Duration & Frequency
• Typically lasts 9–12 months, but can persist for up to 2 years.
• Occurs irregularly, roughly every 2–7 years, alternating with El Niño and neutral phases.
ENSO Cycle Overview
Neutral El Niño Neutral La Niña (cycle repeats)
ENSO affects the global jet streams, monsoons, and ocean-atmosphere feedback systems, which is why La Niña can trigger major floods, droughts, or cold snaps in various parts of the world.
Recent La Niña Events
• 2020–2023: A rare triple-dip La Niña occurred (three consecutive years), which caused:
• Major floods in Australia
• Severe droughts in East Africa
•Increased hurricane activity in the Atlantic
If you’d like, I can show you the difference between El Niño vs. La Niña visually or explain their effects in a specific country like the U.S., Korea, or Australia. Would that help?
