La Niña Conditions Confirmed in 2025

La Niña conditions have re-emerged in the Pacific Ocean, as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on January 9, 2025. This phenomenon is part of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which influences global weather patterns. The emergence of La Niña is characterised by below-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific, contrasting with the warmer conditions typically associated with El Niño.

About La Niña

La Niña is a climate pattern that represents the cool phase of ENSO. It occurs when cooler ocean temperatures dominate the central and eastern tropical Pacific. This phenomenon typically leads to increased rainfall in some regions and droughts in others. La Niña conditions are often linked to stronger trade winds, which push warm water towards the western Pacific.

The ENSO Cycle

The El Niño Southern Oscillation comprises three phases – El Niño, La Niña, and neutral. El Niño is characterised by warmer sea surface temperatures, while La Niña features cooler temperatures. These phases occur irregularly, typically every two to seven years. Each phase lasts approximately one year, but La Niña events may repeat and persist longer than El Niño events.

Mechanisms Behind ENSO

The Bjerknes feedback mechanism plays important role in ENSO. This process involves interactions between sea surface temperatures and atmospheric winds. Weaker easterly trade winds during El Niño allow warm water to accumulate in the eastern Pacific. Conversely, stronger trade winds during La Niña enhance the upwelling of cooler water. The exact triggers for these oscillations remain a subject of ongoing research.

Global Climate Impacts

ENSO impacts global weather patterns. El Niño can lead to increased global temperatures and extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall and flooding in some areas. In contrast, La Niña often results in cooler temperatures and can cause droughts in regions reliant on consistent rainfall. The effects of these phenomena are particularly pronounced in developing countries bordering the Pacific Ocean, where agriculture and fishing are heavily dependent on stable weather conditions.

1. ENSO affects global weather patterns every 2-7 years.
2. Bjerknes feedback was named after Jacob Bjerknes in 1969.
3. La Niña typically leads to increased rainfall in India.
4. El Niño events can spike global temperatures for about a year.
5. The last La Niña occurred from 2020 to 2023.

Current Forecast and Implications

Meteorologists predict that the current La Niña will be weak, with limited impact due to warmer ocean temperatures persisting for over a year. The Nino 3.4 index, a key indicator of ENSO conditions, is not expected to drop . Experts note that this La Niña’s emergence may be delayed, raising questions about its potential effects on global weather patterns during the current season.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2025

Category: Environment Current Affairs