Understanding El Niño and La Niña

El Niño is a climate phenomenon occurring in the Pacific Ocean, affecting global weather patterns by altering trade winds and ocean temperatures. It can lead to floods, droughts, and increased global temperatures. Normally, trade winds push warm water westward, causing upwelling of cold water in the east. During El Niño, these winds weaken, disrupting this balance and impacting weather worldwide. La Niña, the opposite phase, strengthens trade winds, pushing warm water further west and increasing upwelling. Both phenomena significantly influence global climate and weather patterns.

What is the primary effect of El Niño on global weather patterns?

• It stabilizes weather patterns worldwide.

• It has no significant impact on weather.

• It causes a decrease in global temperatures.

• It alters the odds of extreme weather events.

What role do trade winds play in the Pacific Ocean under normal conditions?

• They blow from west to east.

• They push warm water towards Asia and Australasia.

• They cause the ocean to freeze.

• They have no effect on ocean temperatures.

What process replaces warm water with cold water near South and Central America?

• Precipitation

• Condensation

• Evaporation

• Upwelling

How does El Niño affect the trade winds?

• It weakens or reverses them.

• It has no effect on them.

• It causes them to blow in a circular pattern.

• It strengthens them.

Which regions are most affected by El Niño in terms of increased flood risk?

• Brazil

• India

• Peru

• Indonesia

What is a significant consequence of the extra heat released during El Niño?

• It results in more snowfall.

• It leads to a decrease in sea levels.

• It temporarily raises global temperatures.

• It causes global cooling.

When does El Niño typically peak?

• In late autumn

• In early spring

• Around Christmas-time

• During the summer months

What is the main difference between El Niño and La Niña?

• La Niña has no impact on global weather.

• La Niña strengthens trade winds, while El Niño weakens them.

• El Niño and La Niña have the same effects on weather.

• El Niño strengthens trade winds, while La Niña weakens them.

How does La Niña affect the temperature of the Pacific Ocean?

• It cools the western Pacific.

• It warms the eastern Pacific.

• It has no effect on ocean temperatures.

• It increases upwelling of cold water in the east.

What is the effect of La Niña on global weather patterns?

• It causes a decrease in global temperatures.

• It stabilizes weather patterns worldwide.

• It tends to have opposite effects to El Niño.

• It has the same effects as El Niño.