Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

World

El Nino’s impact is not over as its sibling looms — Part 2

La Nina and El Nino are extreme, large-scale changes in the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, with La Niña sometimes referred to as the cold phase of ENSO and El Niño as the warm phase of ENSO.

Just as scientists did when tracking El Nino, they will use the same parameters in tracking la Nina. La Nina is characterized by colder ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific. Under normal conditions, we see warm water along the equator in the western Pacific Ocean and cold water along the equator along the eastern Pacific Ocean.

So when conditions are set for a La Nina event, there will be unusually cold ocean temperatures along the equator in the eastern and central equatorial Pacific Ocean. In other words, the normal band of cold ocean water extends further west as La Nina grows.

Untitled

NOAA


La Nina around the world
El Nino and La Nina have global impacts on our weather, with La Nina producing just the opposite effects from El Nino, especially in the tropics. While Australia and India, along with Sub-Saharan Africa have been experiencing severe drought with El Nino, La Nina will bring wetter than normal conditions, resulting in flooding and landslides.

La Nina conditions can last from nine months to as long as two years and usually recur on average every three to five years. In the U.S., drier conditions in the Southwest, Central plains, and Southeast are usually seen in the fall and winter. In contrast, the Northwest is usually wetter than normal. Basically, winters are warmer in the Southeast and colder in the Northwest.

Will we see an economic impact with La Nina?
With El Nino finally weakening, damage to economies around the world has exceeded $10 billion in losses. Sugar and rice production were hit especially hard, causing price hikes in both commodities. The droughts and heatwaves in Southeast Asia, South America, and Africa caused a considerable amount of damage.

Flooding on the streets of Norfolk  VA as a result of Hurricane Sandy

Flooding on the streets of Norfolk, VA as a result of Hurricane Sandy
doxella


Depending on the severity of the coming La Nina, there could be both good and bad news. For example, in India, where farmers are dependent on monsoonal rains for their livelihood, past La Nina cycles have resulted in an average 8.9 percent increase in GDP for the country, according to the Economic Times.

In the United States, CNN Money reports, La Nina cycles usually coincide with an increase in the number of tropical storms and hurricanes, and they can cause substantial damage to infrastructure and the economies of the eastern Seaboard. During the last significant La Nina, in 2010, the U.S. experienced a record winter snowfall, heavy spring flooding and drought across Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.

The bottom line? It is still too early to tell how strong La Nina will be or how long it will last. There are predictions, based on models, but to assume any of them will come to pass is guessing, at best. Digital Journal will follow the tracking of La Nina and pass on any significant information.

Avatar photo
Written By

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear friend Karen Graham, who served as Editor-at-Large at Digital Journal. She was 78 years old. Karen's view of what is happening in our world was colored by her love of history and how the past influences events taking place today. Her belief in humankind's part in the care of the planet and our environment has led her to focus on the need for action in dealing with climate change. It was said by Geoffrey C. Ward, "Journalism is merely history's first draft." Everyone who writes about what is happening today is indeed, writing a small part of our history.

You may also like:

Social Media

Wanna buy some ignorance? You’re in luck.

Business

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said the carrier was reviewing recent incidents and would redouble safety initiatives as needed - Copyright AFP Logan CyrusUnited...

World

US President Joe Biden speaks during a reception honoring Women's History Month at the White House - Copyright AFP Brendan SMIALOWSKIDanny KEMPUS President Joe...

Business

A Milei marks 100 days in office, thousands protest his austerity measures - Copyright AFP Luis ROBAYOLeila MACORArgentina’s President Javier Milei has slashed public...