Weather Monitoring
La Niña event predicted for 2025
Nov 13 2024
La Niña, the cool phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), arises when sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean drop below average for an extended period.
This phenomenon, which can last 9 to 12 months or longer, is driven by intensified trade winds and upwelling of cooler, nutrient-rich waters from the ocean depths.
La Niña events are known for their profound impacts on global weather, ecosystems, and human activity.
What is La Niña?
La Niña begins when Pacific trade winds strengthen, pushing warm surface waters westward and allowing cooler water to rise in the eastern Pacific.
These changes disrupt global weather patterns by shifting the location and intensity of the jet streams. The impacts are far-reaching.
In Asia and Australia, La Niña often brings heavier monsoonal rains and increased flood risks.
North America typically experiences cooler, wetter winters in the Pacific Northwest and drier, warmer conditions in the southern United States.
Other regions, such as southern Africa and parts of South America, face varying effects, including drought or enhanced rainfall. Marine ecosystems are also affected as enhanced upwelling during La Niña boosts fish populations but can disrupt food webs.
How is La Niña predicted?
Satellites measure sea surface temperatures and ocean heat content, while floating buoys like those in the Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO) array provide critical real-time data on ocean temperatures, currents, and winds.
Subsurface ocean monitoring reveals whether cooler waters below the surface are moving upward—a key precursor to La Niña.
Atmospheric conditions, such as changes in the Walker Circulation and trade wind strength, are also tracked through weather balloons, ground-based instruments, and remote sensing.
Digital Edition
AET 28.4 Oct/Nov 2024
November 2024
Gas Detection - Go from lagging to leading: why investment in gas detection makes sense Air Monitoring - Swirl and vortex meters will aid green hydrogen production - Beyond the Stack: Emi...
View all digital editions
Events
Dec 11 2024 Shanghai, China
Jan 12 2025 Abu Dhabi, UAE
Jan 14 2025 Abu Dhabi, UAE
Jan 20 2025 San Diego, CA, USA
Carrefour des Gestions Locales de L'eau
Jan 22 2025 Rennes, France