California Current
greater than normal in the Eastern Pacific
A change in the water temperature of the Pacific Ocean that produces a warm current is known as El Niño. This phenomenon occurs when warm water accumulates in the central and eastern Pacific, affecting global weather patterns. El Niño can lead to increased rainfall in some regions and droughts in others, significantly impacting agriculture and ecosystems.
colder than average surface temperatures in the eastern pacific
This phenomenon is known as La Niña. It can impact global weather patterns by influencing wind patterns and ocean currents, leading to cooler and wetter conditions in some regions and drier conditions in others. La Niña events are part of the broader El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle.
"Trade winds diminish in the Central and Western Pacific. The thermocline is depressed in the east and elevated in the west. Sea surface temperatures stay high when usually, the temperature drops in the Eastern Pacific. (The thermocline is a drop in sea temperature.)" NOAA Research; El Nino Activity Key
colder than average surface temperatures in the eastern pacific
"Trade winds diminish in the Central and Western Pacific. The thermocline is depressed in the east and elevated in the west. Sea surface temperatures stay high when usually, the temperature drops in the Eastern Pacific. (The thermocline is a drop in sea temperature.)" NOAA Research; El Nino Activity Key
Rainfall in the eastern Pacific is typically lower than in the western Pacific. The eastern Pacific tends to have a drier climate due to the presence of the cold California Current that limits moisture transport. In contrast, the western Pacific, near the equator, receives higher rainfall amounts due to the warmer ocean temperatures and greater atmospheric convection.
During El Niño events, the Pacific Ocean experiences warmer than average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific. This disrupts normal weather patterns, leading to increased rainfall in the eastern Pacific and drought conditions in the western Pacific. The changes in ocean temperatures also affect global atmospheric circulation patterns, influencing weather patterns around the world.
El Niño occurs when ocean temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean become warmer than usual, leading to changes in atmospheric circulation patterns. This can result in increased precipitation in the eastern Pacific Ocean basin, including countries like Peru and parts of North America.
During an El Niño year, the pressure in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean decreases, leading to weaker trade winds and warmer sea surface temperatures. This shift in atmospheric pressure results in increased precipitation in the eastern Pacific and drier conditions in the western Pacific. Conversely, during a La Niña year, the pressure patterns reverse, with increased pressure in the eastern Pacific, stronger trade winds, and cooler sea surface temperatures, often causing wetter conditions in the western Pacific. These fluctuations significantly impact global weather patterns.
The eastern Pacific Ocean is typically warmer than normal during El Niño events, which occur every few years when there is an abnormal warming of sea surface temperatures. This can lead to widespread impacts on weather patterns around the world.