El Nino and La Nina
La Nina
Following an El Nino event, the typical return to normal weather conditions can sometimes be disrupted. In certain years, the trade winds intensify significantly, leading to an abnormal accumulation of cold water in the central and eastern Pacific. This phenomenon is known as La Nina.
Effects of La Nina
- A notable La Niña event occurred in 1988, potentially contributing to the summer drought in central North America. During this period, the Atlantic Ocean experienced highly active hurricane seasons in 1998 and 1999. Hurricane Mitch, a product of these seasons, stood as the strongest October hurricane recorded in approximately a century.
- Some additional weather effects associated with La Nina include:
- Unusually heavy monsoons in India and Southeast Asia,
- Cool and wet winter conditions in south-eastern Africa,
- Wet weather in eastern Australia,
- Cold winter in western Canada and northwestern US,
- Winter drought in the southern United States.
- Flood in India .
M.C.Q.
Q. For short-term climatic predictions, which one of the following events,
detected in the last decade, is associated with occasional weak monsoon rains in the Indian subcontinent? (UPSC Prelims 2002)
a) La Nina
b) Movement of Jet Stream
c) El Nino and Southern Oscillations
d) Greenhouse effect at global level
detected in the last decade, is associated with occasional weak monsoon rains in the Indian subcontinent? (UPSC Prelims 2002)
a) La Nina
b) Movement of Jet Stream
c) El Nino and Southern Oscillations
d) Greenhouse effect at global level
Answer:- A
Q. La Nina is suspected of having caused recent floods in Australia. How is La Nina different from El Nino?
A. La Nina is characterised by unusually cold ocean temperature in the equatorial Indian Ocean whereas El Nino is characterised by unusually warm ocean temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
B. El Nino has an adverse effect on the southwest monsoon of India, but La Nina has no effect on the monsoon climate.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
A. La Nina is characterised by unusually cold ocean temperature in the equatorial Indian Ocean whereas El Nino is characterised by unusually warm ocean temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
B. El Nino has an adverse effect on the southwest monsoon of India, but La Nina has no effect on the monsoon climate.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer :- D
