• La Niña event predicted for 2025

Weather Monitoring

La Niña event predicted for 2025

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

Aquatech China 2024

Dec 11 2024 Shanghai, China

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

Jan 12 2025 Abu Dhabi, UAE

World Future Energy Summit

Jan 14 2025 Abu Dhabi, UAE

Clean Fuels Conference

Jan 20 2025 San Diego, CA, USA

Carrefour des Gestions Locales de L'eau

Jan 22 2025 Rennes, France

View all events