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2/15/2019 What are the effects of El Niño

What are the effects of El Niño?


El Niño Southern Oscillation is not some little isolated event in the Pacific Ocean.
Through teleconnections, which are defined as atmospheric interactions between
widely separated regions, it can indirectly and directly have an impact around the
world. El Niño has a cold counterpart called La Niña, and these events are part of the
El Niño Southern Oscillation

To see some of the impacted areas in detail; click on the regions on the image map.

El Niño impacts (winter after onset)

La Niña impacts (winter after onset)


https://www.oc.nps.edu/webmodules/ENSO/effects.html 1/3
2/15/2019 What are the effects of El Niño

Primary effects: these are directly caused.


Alteration of weather patterns which include:
Temperature changes
Precipitation changes
Storm track changes and intensity
Alteration of currents and ocean temperature

Secondary effects: these are some consequenses:


Fires
Drought
Flooding
Economic changes, price of heating, food, etc.
Political and social unrest
Crash of fisheries
Famine
Plagues (hanta virus)
Insect population explosion leading to disease and plagues.
Crop failure

Some benefits of El Niño:


Fewer hurricanes and other tropical cyclones in the north Atlantic
Milder winters in southern Canada and the northern continental United States.

https://www.oc.nps.edu/webmodules/ENSO/effects.html 2/3
2/15/2019 What are the effects of El Niño

Replenishment of water supplies in the southwestern U.S.


Less disease in some areas due to drier weather (like malaria in southeastern Africa)

https://www.oc.nps.edu/webmodules/ENSO/effects.html 3/3

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