La Nina
Articles tagged with La Nina
Simple ocean-based model forecasts El Niño skillfully, points to a strong event ahead
Researchers have developed a simple yet effective ocean-based model that can predict El Niño and La Niña 15 months in advance using only surface temperature and height observations. The model leverages two core climate memories, Wyrtki memory and Hasselmann memory, to achieve forecast skill comparable to more complex models.
Lost millennium of Galápagos deep-sea corals linked to major Pacific climate shift
Scientists discovered that deep-water coral ecosystems in the Galápagos region vanished for over 1,000 years due to prolonged La Niña-like conditions. The study found that these ecosystems may be more susceptible to climate change than previously thought, with significant implications for conservation efforts.
Why the planet doesn’t dry out together: scientists solve a global climate puzzle
Researchers have shown that ocean temperature patterns limit the global spread of droughts, with synchronised droughts affecting only 1.8% to 6.5% of global land. The study identified 'drought hubs' in regions like Australia, South America, and southern Africa.
Climate whiplash effects due to rapidly intensifying El Niño cycles
A new study reveals that ENSO could intensify rapidly over the coming decades and synchronize with other major climate phenomena, leading to stronger rainfall fluctuations in regions such as Southern California and the Iberian Peninsula. The amplified impacts will necessitate enhanced planning and adaptation strategies.
A hard look at geoengineering reveals global risks
UCSB scientists found that cloud seeding could disrupt the El Niño Southern Oscillation, a major climate cycle. In contrast, stratospheric aerosol injection had virtually no effect on ENSO. The study highlights the importance of considering broad consequences before implementing geoengineering proposals.
International “State of the Climate” report confirms record-high greenhouse gases, global temperatures, global sea level, and ocean heat in 2024
The State of the Climate report reveals record-high greenhouse gas concentrations, with CO2 levels reaching 422.8 parts per million, a 52% increase from pre-industrial levels. Global temperatures also reached a new high, with annual growth increasing to 2.4 ppm yr−1.
AMS Science Preview: “Hangover” currents, bird nest forecasting, rain & trains
Research explores changes in global precipitation patterns and how they relate to climate change. Bird nests are found to predict rainfall in rural India, while heat stress is increasing in the southeastern US, particularly at night. European 'bomb' storms may intensify due to warming climate.
El Niño forecasts extended to 18 months with innovative physics-based model
A new conceptual model, XRO, significantly improves predictive skill of ENSO events at over one year in advance, offering a transparent view into the mechanisms of equatorial Pacific recharge-discharge physics. This improves conventional climate model forecasting and provides robust quantification of extratropical Pacific, tropical Ind...
AMS Science Preview: Sea-ice loss may accelerate; tornadoes and flying cars
Arctic sea ice is expected to lose mass in the coming decade due to dominant natural climate patterns. Exposure to extreme temperatures, particularly heat, may lead to adverse birth outcomes in China. Researchers also found that ocean warming intensifies typhoons, but moderation comes from atmospheric temperature and humidity changes.
Long-lasting La Niña events more common over past century
A new study found that multiyear La Niña events have become more common over the last 100 years, with warming in the western Pacific Ocean being a key factor. The study suggests that long-lasting La Niñas will exacerbate adverse impacts on communities around the globe.
El Niño and La Niña multi-year events could become more common
A new study reveals that the Pacific Walker Circulation has changed its behavior over the industrial era, with volcanic eruptions causing temporary weakening of the circulation. This could lead to more frequent multi-year La Niña or El Niño events, exacerbating climate-related risks.
Global warming will cause more multiyear La Niña events: study
Researchers predict a significant increase in projected frequency of multiyear La Niña events under global warming. This is due to enhanced tropical-subtropical interaction and Pacific mean-state warming patterns.
Researchers study Eurasia’s winter weather under a “triple-dip” La Niña
A team of researchers studied the upcoming 2022-2023 winter weather in Eurasia, predicting potential below-normal temperatures and severe snowfalls. The study used four climate models to forecast surface air temperature and precipitation anomalies, with some results suggesting a possibility of cold snaps despite warmer overall conditions.
Scientists warn of a rare third-year La Nina
Researchers at Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, predict a third-year La Niña event, the first since 1998-2001. This event may bring intense cold surges in Eurasia and more extreme weather patterns.
Study suggests La Niña winters could keep on coming
A new study suggests that climate change is favoring La Niña events in the Pacific Ocean. The researchers found that temperature patterns at the ocean's surface have changed, with the Pacific off South America cooling and the western Pacific warming more than elsewhere. This has led to a strengthened temperature difference between the ...
Ancient El Niños reveal limits to future climate projections
A study analyzing 9,000 years of Earth's history found that strong El Niño events intensified over time but with a small change due to global warming. Researchers used ancient coral data and powerful supercomputers to conduct their research, calling for further investigations into earlier climate periods.
The north movement of Intertropical Convergence Zone on synoptic-scale causes heavy rainfall in the northern South China Sea in autumn
Research by Prof. Lifang Sheng and team reveals the northward movement of Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) causes heavy autumn rainfall in the northern South China Sea. The ITCZ's shift north is triggered by abnormal equatorial easterlies, which strengthen during La Niña years.
Fewer El Niño and La Niña events in a warmer world
A new study simulates global warming at unprecedented resolution, revealing that increasing CO2 concentrations will weaken the intensity of the ENSO temperature cycle. This could lead to fewer El Niño and La Niña events, with potential implications for rainfall extremes.
New study ties solar variability to the onset of decadal La Nina events
A new study finds a correlation between the end of solar cycles and a switch from El Nino to La Nina conditions in the Pacific Ocean. The researchers applied a 22-year solar clock to find this elusive correlation, which could improve predictability of major El Nino and La Nina events.
Northern Hemisphere cold surges caused by Arctic and tropical Pacific synergistic effects
Researchers analyzed temperatures from Dec. 1, 2020, to mid-January 2021, finding that warming in the Arctic and cooling in the tropical Pacific contributed to record-breaking low temperatures across 58 cities in China. The synergistic effect intensified cold air intrusions into mid-high latitudes, influencing extreme cold conditions.
Fidelity of El Niño simulation matters for predicting future climate
A new study found that accurately simulating ocean current variations during El Niño events is crucial for reducing climate prediction uncertainty. When models simulate these processes correctly, they show increased asymmetry between El Niño and La Niú, similar to natural climate swings.
Predicting drought in the American West just got more difficult
A new study by USC researchers found that El Niño cycles are an unreliable predictor of droughts in the American West. Instead, Earth's dynamic atmosphere plays a significant role in wet and dry cycles, making drought forecasting challenging.
Scientists reveal roles of wind stress and subsurface cold water in the second-year cooling of the 2017/18 La Niña event
Scientists analyzed atmospheric and oceanic factors behind the 2017/18 La Niña event's cooling. Wind stress and subsurface cold water played significant roles in the event's second-year cooling, with differences observed from previous events.
Why does El Niño decay faster than La Niña?
A study by Prof. Renhe Zhang and colleagues found that El Niño decays faster than La Niña due to asymmetrical zonal wind anomalies in the equatorial western Pacific. The negative sea surface temperature anomaly associated with La Niña events persists for more than a year, resulting in a longer duration.
Strong Indian monsoons steer Atlantic hurricanes towards land, study finds
A new study finds that strong Indian monsoons can push Atlantic Ocean hurricanes westward, increasing the likelihood they'll make landfall in the Americas. This newly-discovered relationship could help scientists better predict hurricane paths, especially during late summer months.
Getting a longer heads-up on El Niño
Researchers at Pohang University of Science and Technology have found a way to predict El Niño conditions up to 17 months in advance. Changes in Atlantic Ocean sea surface temperatures can trigger La Niña, which affects global weather patterns.
Future impacts of El Niño, La Niña likely to intensify
Future El Niño and La Niña events are expected to cause more intense temperature and precipitation changes, including increased wildfire risk in the Southwest US. Climate model simulations suggest that these events will become even cooler and wetter in California, exacerbating flood risks.
The blueprint for El Niño diversity
A new study reveals that El Niño diversity arises from the interaction between Eastern and Central Pacific oscillations, leading to irregular occurrence and complex behavior. This understanding is crucial for predicting El Niño events accurately in a warming world.
Scientists reveal drivers of prolonged spring-summer drought over North China
A recent study reveals that seven of eight North China PSSD events occurred when La Niña transited to El Niño with a negative NPO phase in preceding winter. This study demonstrates that ENSO phase transition from La Niña to El Niño is one of the important precursors of North China PSSD.
North Pacific climate patterns influence El Nino occurrences
A new study suggests that El Nino frequency is 300 percent more frequent in positive PDO phases and 58 percent less in negative phases. This finding could improve El Nino predictions by considering off-equatorial climate patterns.
New research could predict La Niña drought years in advance
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.
International prize recognizes Northwest ocean research program
The Newport Line, a decades-long ocean monitoring program off the Pacific Northwest coast, has been recognized for its significant contributions to marine science. The PICES Ocean Monitoring Service Award acknowledges the program's value in understanding climate patterns, salmon returns, and ocean currents.
South China Sea summer monsoon onset
Researchers studied SCSSM onset from 1997 to 2014, identifying normal, intermittent, and delayed onset types. Key factors in the normal onset type include positive SST gradients in the northern Indian Ocean and local SST warming in the SCS. The study found that zonal thermal contrast modulates monsoon onset in La Niña years.
Climate experts help communities cope with impact of the Indian Monsoon
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.
NASA maps El Niño's shift on US precipitation
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.
New research shows La Niña is not helping Hawai'i's rainfall and groundwater
Recent La Niña years have brought less-than-normal rainfall to Hawai'i, contrary to past trends. The shift in weather patterns has important implications for agriculture and water resource management.
El Niño and La Niña will exacerbate coastal hazards across Pacific
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 across the Pacific. The research analyzed data from 48 beaches across three continents, suggesting the predicted increase will exacerbate coastal erosion irrespective of sea level rise.
El Niño and La Niña will exacerbate coastal hazards across entire Pacific
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.
Frequency of tornadoes, hail linked to El Niño, La Niña
A new study reveals that El Niño and La Niña conditions can predict the frequency of tornadoes and hail storms in susceptible regions of the United States. Moderate La Niña events lead to more tornadoes and hail storms, while El Niño suppresses both types of storms.
Global warming doubles risk of extreme La Niña event, research shows
Research shows global warming could double the frequency of extreme La Niúna events, leading to increased droughts and floods globally. This could also lead to weather patterns switching between extremes of wet and dry, with profound socio-economic consequences.
Different types of El Nino have different effects on global temperature
A new study reveals that traditional and central Pacific El Niño events have distinct effects on global surface temperatures. Global temperatures were anomalously warm during traditional El Niño events but not during central Pacific events, which occur more frequently now.
Global warming could change strength of El Niño
Research suggests that external changes can impact the strength and timing of El Niño events. Over 4,300 years, the ENSO cycle has changed due to natural influences on the Earth's climate, such as variations in its orbit around the sun.
2 warmest winter months in Midwest history may have connection
Researchers at University of Missouri-Columbia discovered that the region's record-warm February and March were linked to a similar La Niña climate pattern in 1889. This finding could help scientists develop more accurate weather prediction models by understanding the variability within climate patterns.
Does the La Niña weather pattern lead to flu pandemics?
A new study finds that La Niña conditions in the equatorial Pacific precede four major flu pandemics, including 1918, 1957, 1968 and 2009. The researchers theorize that altered bird migration patterns promote genetic reassortment of the influenza virus.
NASA satellites capture a stronger La Nina
NASA's new satellite data confirms a strong La Niña event in the eastern Pacific, with record-breaking rainfall in Australia and significant impacts on global climate. The La Niña effect is being felt worldwide, influencing ocean currents and heat storage.
Scientists uncover solar cycle, stratosphere and ocean connections
Research reveals subtle links between solar cycles, stratospheres, and tropical Pacific Oceans, driving periodic weather patterns globally. The study predicts the intensity of climate phenomena like Indian monsoon and tropical Pacific rainfall years in advance.
Solar cycle linked to global climate, drives events similar to El Nino, La Nina
New research by NCAR shows a key link between the solar cycle and global climate, with maximum solar activity impacting Earth similarly to La Nina and El Nino events. The study may pave the way toward better predictions of temperature and precipitation patterns.
Solar cycle linked to global climate
Research by NSF-funded scientists reveals a scientifically feasible link between the 11-year solar cycle and ENSO, influencing climate variability globally. The study suggests that maximum solar activity can drive La Niña-like events with similar impacts on global temperature and precipitation patterns.
New type of El Nino could mean more hurricanes make landfall
A new study suggests that a changing form of El Niño could result in a greater number of hurricanes forming in the Atlantic Ocean. This 'El Niño Modoki' type forms in the Central Pacific, leading to increased storm frequency and potential for landfall along the Gulf coast and Central America.
Climate phenomenon influences England's chances in the Australian leg of the Ashes
A study found that El Nino years favor the Australian team's success in the Ashes series held in Australia, while La Nina years benefit England. The research analyzed Ashes matches from 1882-2007 and showed a strong correlation between ENSO phases and team performance.
2008 was Earth's coolest year since 2000
The NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies found that 2008 was the coolest year on record since 2000, with most of the world experiencing near-normal or warmer temperatures. A strong La Niña event in the Pacific Ocean contributed to the cooling effect.
NOAA science story tips -- AAAS 2008 edition
NOAA is investigating how underwater sound affects marine mammals, which may cause them to strand. The agency is also studying the rapid rate of Arctic ice melt due to factors like aerosols and ozone in the lower atmosphere. Additionally, NOAA researchers are using radiocarbon traces to determine fish ages, which helps with fisheries m...
NASA'S live tropical sea surface temperature Web site gives climate, hurricane clues
The new website provides frequent updates on changing ocean temperatures, with two primary types of data: actual temperature readings and sea surface temperature anomalies. Sea surface temperature changes can influence climate, weather, and hurricane patterns, making the website a valuable tool for scientists.
La Nina will have no effect on 2006 Atlantic hurricanes
According to NASA, La Niña will have no effect on the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season due to rising sea surface temperatures and favorable atmospheric conditions. The current La Niña event is fading, with sea surface temperatures returning to near-average levels in the eastern Pacific.
NASA-funded research looking at El Niño events to forecast western US snowfall
Researchers used computer climate models and over 45 years of data to understand the connection between El Niño events and Western US snowfall. They found that ENSO affects atmospheric wind patterns, moist air transport, and Western U.S. precipitation and snow accumulation.
New studies reveal connections between oceanographic processes and rockfish populations
Researchers at UCSC have linked oceanographic events with rockfish recruitment patterns, finding two distinct groups of species responding differently to warm and cold water conditions. The study provides insights into the year-to-year variation in replenishment of these fish populations.
Will climate change temper El Niño's tantrums?
Researchers found that climate change may weaken average El Niño events due to a decline in ocean-atmosphere coupling. However, individual El Niños could still be intense, even in a warmer world. The study simulated past and future behavior of El Niño using the NCAR Climate System Model.
More El Niño's and La Niña's may lead to more global rainfall extremes
Researchers found that El Niño events result in wetter oceans and drier land areas, with droughts more common than floods. Global precipitation patterns show an increase in rain over the Indian monsoon region and a decrease over central Africa during these events.
UMass climate researchers returning to Bolivian mountaintops
Researchers will collect snow samples from Illimani and Sajama mountains to understand the impact of El Nino and La Nina on precipitation patterns. The team's goal is to analyze climate conditions over the past two years using sophisticated chemical analyses of snow samples.