El Nino & La Nina

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What is El Niño?

Back

El Niño is a climate pattern characterized by the warming of surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, which can disrupt normal weather patterns globally.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is La Niña?

Back

La Niña is a climate pattern that represents the cooling of surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, often leading to opposite weather effects compared to El Niño.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

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How often do El Niño and La Niña events occur?

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El Niño and La Niña events typically occur every 2-7 years.

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What is the primary ocean affected by El Niño and La Niña?

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The primary ocean affected by both El Niño and La Niña is the Pacific Ocean.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

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What are the typical weather effects of El Niño in California?

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During El Niño, California often experiences increased rainfall and stormy weather.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

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What are the typical weather effects of La Niña in California?

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La Niña typically leads to drier conditions in California.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

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What is the relationship between El Niño and hurricane activity in the Atlantic Ocean?

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During El Niño, there is usually a decrease in hurricane activity in the Atlantic Ocean.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

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What is the significance of the warm pool in El Niño?

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The warm pool in El Niño refers to the accumulation of warm ocean water in the central Pacific, which influences weather patterns and precipitation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

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What is the significance of the cold pool in La Niña?

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The cold pool in La Niña refers to the accumulation of cooler ocean water in the central Pacific, which can lead to increased hurricane activity in the Atlantic.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is a common misconception about El Niño and La Niña?

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A common misconception is that both events occur in the Atlantic Ocean; they primarily occur in the Pacific Ocean.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6