Articles tagged with El Nino
Researchers used a probabilistic approach to attribute the extreme event to natural variability and anthropogenic forcing. They found that strong El Niño events significantly increase the risk of extreme rainfall, but also suggest smaller-scale anthropogenic contributions.
Global warming is accelerating coral bleaching, threatening the future of coral reefs and millions of people reliant on them. The study documents a dramatic shortening of the gap between pairs of bleaching events, now occurring every six years on average.
Researchers Prof. Fei Zheng and Jin-Yi Yu found significant skill score differences between EP and CP El Niño events, with EP events better predicted at all lead times. This is attributed to systematic forecast biases and an overly warm eastern Pacific during the spring season for CP El Niño prediction.
Scientists improve drought prediction for La Niña events with two new studies, predicting a second year of drought due to the current La Niña. The research found that La Niña's impact on atmospheric circulation and southern U.S. drought becomes stronger in the second year.
Research reveals that climate shifts can significantly alter the length of marine food chains in Southern California. The study found that extreme environmental conditions, such as El Niño events, shortened the food chain by reducing population sizes and diversity. This change indicates a decline in ecosystem resilience.
A new study reveals that extreme marine conditions can significantly alter food chain dynamics in the California Current ecosystem. Dolphin diets suggest shorter food chains due to changes in prey availability and nitrogen cycling, potentially threatening ecosystem resilience.
A new study suggests that a strong El Niño and a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Ecuador in 2016 likely exacerbated the Zika virus outbreak, increasing cases by 12-fold in three months. The research highlights how climate variability can amplify the worst effects of natural disasters and disease outbreaks in socially vulnerable regions.
A recent CU Anschutz study found that climate change can spur outbreaks of infectious diseases like Zika, malaria, and dengue fever. The researchers discovered a 12-fold increase in Zika cases in Ecuador after an earthquake struck the region during an exceptionally strong El Niño event.
Researchers found that bleached anemones led to a drastic fall in viable eggs among clownfish (-73%) and increased cortisol levels. This study reveals the impact of climate change on coral reefs and the fish that depend on them.
Explosive volcanic eruptions in the tropics can lead to El Niño events by pumping sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere, reflecting solar radiation and reducing global surface temperature. Climate model simulations show that El Niño tends to peak during the year after large volcanic eruptions.
Researchers found that 2/3 of heat wave variability in the Yangtze River valley can be explained by sea surface temperature forcing, while 1/3 is attributed to atmospheric internal variability. Non-ENSO SST anomalies also contribute to heat waves.
Scientists found that mid-latitude circulation anomalies led to a negative YRV rainfall anomaly in August 2016, opposite to the strong positive anomaly in 1998. These anomalies resulted from the 'Silk Road Pattern' and increased anticyclonic circulation over East Asia.
A dramatic drop in Antarctic sea ice in 2016 was caused by a unique combination of factors, including a strong El Niño event and unusually weak winds around the South Pole. The area of sea ice decreased to its lowest level in 40 years, with ocean temperatures also being unusually warm.
A new report confirms 2016 as the second-warmest year on record, with global temperatures reaching 1°C above pre-industrial levels due to human-induced climate change and El Niño events.
A study analyzing 18 years of coral-disease data found that three common diseases spike during El Niño years, mirroring the cyclical patterns of these climate events. This alarming association may indicate an increase in disease intensity due to climate change, with potential consequences for coral reefs.
Researchers from King Abdullah University of Science & Technology have modeled the impact of El Niño on rainfall in the Red Sea region. The study found that El Niño strengthens the Red Sea Convergence Zone (RSCZ), leading to increased rainfall and storms along the coast.
Researchers at Stockholm University found a link between the West African Monsoon and ENSO variability, revealing reduced variability by 30-60% compared to pre-industrial times. Accounting for a vegetated and less dusty Sahara improved model simulations and provided insights into future climate change predictions.
Researchers found that a large area of West Antarctica partially melted due to warm air caused by an especially strong El Nino, with satellite data revealing a mix of melted snow and ice over most of the Ross Ice Shelf. The study suggests that this warming event could be more frequent in the future with a warming climate.
A massive surface melt event occurred on the West Antarctic Ice Sheet in 2015-2016, with melt episodes spanning most of the Ross Ice Shelf. The study suggests that strong El Niño events may become more common, leading to increased ice sheet instability and potential sea level rise.
A devastating combination of El Niño and global warming led to extreme temperatures in April 2016 in Southeast Asia, breaking all previous records. Long-term warming has played an increasing role in rising April temperatures, exacerbating energy consumption, crop production disruptions, and human discomfort.
The 2015-2016 El Niño event was characterized by warmer ocean temperatures in the Pacific, with blue regions representing colder and red regions warmer temperatures. The El Niño-inducing westerlies caused eastward currents to occur in pulses.
A University of Missouri meteorology expert predicts a relatively wet and mild summer for the Midwest, providing good growing conditions for crops. The forecast is attributed to projected El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean, which typically bring mild and wet summers to the region.
Cholera cases in East Africa increase by roughly 50,000 during El Niño years due to increased rainfall and vulnerable water systems. This research can help health ministries anticipate future cholera surges and save lives.
A new study found that severe El Niño events can cause unprecedented coastal erosion in California, with the 2015-2016 event resulting in 76% above normal winter beach erosion. The study highlights the need to understand and manage coastlines to conserve beach ecosystems and mitigate the effects of rising sea levels.
Researchers from NSF's LTER Network will present on the effects of the 2015-16 El Nino, including its impact on aquatic ecosystems and species. The presentations will also explore the long-term implications of environmental changes and the importance of data in understanding future responses.
Researchers assess seasonal beach behavior for 29 beaches along the Pacific coast, finding 76% above normal erosion during the 2015-16 El Niño winter. The study highlights the increasing vulnerability of California's coastline to coastal hazards as climate events intensify.
A strong El Niño does not necessarily result in a higher predictability of extreme drought, according to researchers. However, combining low- and high-latitude precursors improves the forecast accuracy of the EU pattern, which favors anomalous northerly conditions over North China.
Researchers S. George Philander and Mark A. Cane developed a key insight that the Pacific Ocean's weather balance swings seesaw-like between extremes, leading to practical forecasts of El Niño events. Their work enabled institutions worldwide to monitor warning signs for crop planting, disease control, and floods or droughts.
A new epidemiological model reveals that climate change and the 'Godzilla' El Niño of 2015 fueled the Zika outbreak in South America. The researchers predict a potential seasonal transmission risk for Zika virus in southern US, China, and Europe during summer.
Researchers have found a strong association between El Niáo-Southern Oscillation conditions and observed weather in Sri Lanka, leading to exacerbated dengue epidemics. The study used the Oceanic Niño Index to quantify data associations and found an increasing relative risk of dengue with increasing rainfall and temperatures.
Early Pacific seafarers likely harnessed El Nino and other climate patterns to settle Remote Oceania. The research suggests Samoa as a key staging area for East Polynesia colonization.
Coral larvae can't survive long enough to cross the Pacific Ocean due to changing ocean currents, supporting Darwin's opinion of an impassable barrier. The study highlights the importance of local conservation for remote and poorly-protected coral reefs.
New research shows coral larvae cannot survive a 5,000-kilometer trip across the Pacific to replenish eastern corals. Simulations indicate reefs in the Eastern Tropical Pacific are isolated and vulnerable to disturbances.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed a system to predict excess monsoon rainfall or drought in central India, which can impact the national and global economy. This prediction tool has the potential to improve decision-making for policymakers and communities, ultimately mitigating the effects of extreme weather events.
A new study found that El Niño climate patterns contributed to a record-breaking marine heatwave in the Northeast Pacific Ocean, lasting for multiple years and affecting marine ecosystems. The research revealed 'teleconnections' between tropical and temperate latitudes, strengthening ocean warming patterns.
Research finds The Blob had a stronger negative impact on marine productivity than El Niño off the West Coast, with ocean warming slowing nutrient flow and reducing ecosystem productivity. The study uses real-time data from autonomous gliders to assess the effects of major climate disruptions.
Reduced rainfall during El Niño events leads to severe drought conditions, increasing the risk of fires during the dry season. The Amazon fire forecast uses climate and active fire detection data to predict fire severity.
A study by researchers at University of California - San Diego suggests that a larger sand grain size improves nourishment performance. Beaches with coarser sand experienced less erosion during El Niñ events, highlighting the importance of this factor in effective beach replenishment efforts.
Scientists uncovered century-scale patterns in Pacific rainfall and temperature linked to global climate changes over the past 2000 years. El Niño-like states have amplified global climate fluctuations, with northern hemisphere warming and droughts corresponding to an El Niño state from 950 to 1250.
A new study reveals that leftover warm water from a stalled El Niño event in 2014 contributed to the formation of a monster El Niño in 2015. The researchers found that easterly winds prevented the warm water from being transported poleward, allowing it to act as a reservoir of heat for the following year.
Researchers map phytoplankton blooms using NASA satellite data, revealing El Nino's effect on the marine food web. Phytoplankton populations drop during El Nino events due to disrupted upwelling, impacting fisheries and fish populations.
Researchers reconstructed a 2,000-year record of precipitation changes in the eastern Pacific using sediments from Galapagos lakes, revealing long-term shifts in El Niño patterns. The study provides new insights into tropical climate dynamics and will help model future changes.
A decade-long decline in high-calorie fish prey, such as sardines and anchovies, has led to a decrease in the weight of California sea lion pups. This is because nursing females struggle to support their pups' nutritional needs with lower-calorie alternatives like market squid.
A new study found that El Niño events transport waterborne diseases like cholera thousands of miles across oceans. The research suggests links between organisms causing illnesses in Asia and those emerging in Latin America.
NASA has visualized rainfall data to show the changes in US precipitation during El Niño, with areas like California and East Coast experiencing wet conditions. However, other parts of the country faced droughts and floods due to shifts in precipitation patterns.
A new NASA visualization reveals an unusual 2015 El Niño pattern, with warmer sea surface temperatures across the Pacific and Atlantic. This differs from the stronger Eastern Pacific pattern seen in the 1997-1998 event.
The current global coral bleaching event, started in 2014, could extend into 2017 due to record ocean temperatures caused by El Niño. Corals are stressed when expelling symbiotic algae, leading to erosion and destruction of fish habitats.
A team of geologists at UC Santa Barbara is measuring coastal erosion and the effects of sea level rise and higher energy storms brought by El Niño this winter. The study aims to simulate future climate conditions and provide insights into California's coast a century from now.
Scientists found that recent developments near the Meramec River, including a levee and landfill, significantly magnified flood levels. The study showed that floods are becoming more chaotic, unpredictable, and severe due to human activities such as development in floodways and floodplains.
NASA analyzed data from GPM core observatory and Suomi NPP satellite, discovering the hurricane had an eye forming with heavy rain falling at 84.5 mm per hour on its eastern side. The storm's convective storms reached heights of over 12 km, while its strongest feeder band wrapped around its eastern side.
NASA analyzed rainfall totals in Paraguay and found the highest amounts occurred northeast of Asuncion, with over 400 mm recorded in central and southern parts. The strong El Niño phenomenon is believed to be the cause of the heavy flooding, affecting over 150,000 people across Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Researchers found record-breaking levels of domoic acid in a range of species, including fish and Dungeness crab. The toxin's persistence in the food web and sediments led to prolonged exposure and harm to both humans and marine life.
The 2015 El Nino event is expected to bring more precipitation to California, with atmospheric rivers intensifying and potentially causing flooding. Meanwhile, the risk of wildfires in tropical regions increases due to reduced rainfall, which can exacerbate carbon dioxide buildup and air quality issues.
A study of fossil corals and mollusk shells reveals no connection between strong seasonal variations and El Niño, contradicting top nine climate models. The research provides insight into the fundamental physics of El Niño and highlights deficiencies in current climate modeling.
A study published in Nature Communications suggests that California will experience more frequent and severe droughts and floods due to the El Nino-Southern Oscillation. The researchers found that extreme weather events are likely to increase, with droughts potentially doubling and floods tripling by 2100.
A new study reveals the source of near-annual pressure and wind changes in the Southeast Asian Monsoon system, attributing them to El Niño's interaction with solar radiation. The research demonstrates that these oscillations are more predictable than previously assumed and provide a new mechanism for understanding climate phenomena.
A study by University of Florida scientist Derek Cummings found that high temperatures during strong El Niño seasons increase dengue incidence in Southeast Asia. Urban areas act as 'pacemakers' for traveling waves of epidemics moving to nearby rural areas.
A recent study found that dengue epidemics are more likely to occur during abnormally high temperatures brought by El Niño weather patterns. The research team analyzed 18 years of data and discovered synchronicity in dengue transmission across the entire region, highlighting the need for improved disease surveillance and control efforts.
Climate models predict a doubling of extreme interannual sea level swings in the tropical southwestern Pacific, posing significant risks to vulnerable coastlines. Sea level drops and flooding will have severe consequences for Pacific Island communities adapting to rising sea levels.
A multi-agency study found that severe El Niño and La Niña events will cause an increase in storm events leading to extreme coastal flooding and erosion. The research analyzed coastal data from across the Pacific Ocean basin and determined that all Pacific regions were affected during either an El Niño or La Niña year.