El Nino La Nina

Reviewed by:

Nafeez Khan

The Difference Between El Nino and La Nina

El Nino and La Nina both are special conditions of the global climatic system which occurs when the climatic conditions of the pacific ocean and the atmosphere above the sea level changes from neutral conditions for over several seasons. Before getting into the discussion about the difference between el Nino and la Nina, let us have a brief idea about El Nino and La Nina. On the basis of their definition, the temperature above the sea level, trade wind, season, pressure, ocean water of the pacific ocean, Coriolis force and a cyclone the difference between the two is observed.

Both El Nino and La Nina are related to the Walker cell which is a concept of the airflow in the lower atmosphere (troposphere) of the tropical region that was first discovered by the scientist named Gilbert Walker in the twentieth century. Due to the high-pressure area over the eastern pacific ocean and low pressure in Indonesia which results in the pressure gradient force develops into the Walker Circulation. But due to the interference of the trade wind, there is a reversal in the Walker Cell that ultimately weakens the circulation. This inhabits the water of the cold deep sea from upwelling which ultimately results in the formation of El Nino due to the rise in the average temperature of the surface ocean water. Alternatively, the increase in the upwelling of the deep cold seawater that results in the decrease of the average temperature of surface water of the ocean and La Nina.

The extreme oscillation of the climate weather causes a drastic change in weather conditions, that is, from drought to flood in many regions around the world. Many of the developing nations that are situated in the coastal area of the pacific ocean are dependent upon fishing and agriculture for their economy to boost. They face the heavy challenge due to the oscillation of the weather.

El Nino: El Nino is actually termed as El Nino southern oscillation (ENSO) which is an irregular variation of the periodic winds and the temperatures of the water above the sea level that belongs to the tropical eastern pacific ocean, affecting the climate that is prevailing over the tropical and the sub-tropical regions. The sea temperature at its warming phase is known as El Nini and the cooler phase of the sea temperature is called La Nina. Both El Nino and La Nina are accompanied by the southern oscillation that ultimately couples with the change in the sea temperature. In the tropical western Pacific, the El Nino is accompanied by the high pressure of the air and in the same place, La Nina experiences a low pressure of air. Both El Nino and La Nina, each occur for several months and they vary in their intensity with different periods they appear.

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La Nina: La Nina is the alternate phenomenon of the El Nino. Thus it can be described as the oceanic and atmospheric variation and is referred to as the colder counterpart of El Nino. It is a part of the climatic pattern followed by ENSO. As La Nina occurs, the temperature of the surface water of the pacific ocean that runs across the eastern equator drops down to about 30 to 5℃. The La Nina continues for a minimum period of five months during which it affects the climate and weather across the globe. Some of the countries like North America get hugely affected by the La Nina. Also, the season of Pacific and Atlantic hurricanes is affected. During this season a large number of tropical cyclones occur in the basin of the pacific ocean due to low wind sheer and comparatively warmer sea temperature while reducing the formation and strength of tropical cyclones in the atmosphere of the Pacific ocean.

Due to the variation of the temperature pacific ocean that is stretched across the equatorial band, a complex climatic phenomenon and weather pattern occurs every few years which is termed the La Nina. This phenomenon happens as a strong wind current blows the warm surface water of the pacific ocean from South America across the pacific ocean to Indonesia. Thus as the warm water starts to glide across the pacific ocean towards the west, the colder layer of the water starts rising to the surface of the ocean.

This phase is called the cold phase of an elaborative phenomenon referred to as ENSO. This pattern of the weather is just opposite to that of El Nino. Thus this movement of the water across the quarter of the earth and that too in form of a shift in the temperate water can results in a huge impact on the weather conditions and contribute to the climatic change across the globe.

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What are the Differences Between El Nino and la Nina?

Let us now look at both the phenomenon in terms of comparison, that is, El Nino vs. La Nina.

The following points explain what are the differences between El Nino and La Nina. these are as follows:

Points of Differentiation	El Nino	La Nina
Meaning	Its means a little boy that is derived from the Spanish term El Nino	Its means a little girl which is derived from the Spanish term La Nina
The temperature at the sea surface	This phenomenon actually accounts for the warming of the surface of the ocean water from South America stretching to the International dateline that passes directly over the equator. It then moves towards the latitude on either side of the equator by several degrees. Thus the surface water of the pacific ocean that is lying in South America is comparatively warmer than earlier.	Due to the variation of the temperature pacific ocean that is stretched across the equatorial band, a complex climatic phenomenon and weather pattern occurs every few years which is termed the La Nina. This phenomenon happens as a strong wind current blows the warm surface water of the pacific ocean from South America across the pacific ocean to Indonesia. Thus as the warm water starts to glide across the pacific ocean towards the west, the colder layer of the water starts rising to the surface of the ocean. This phase is called the cold phase of an elaborative phenomenon referred to as ENSO.
Pressure	It is burdened with the high pressure on the surface of the ocean water of the western Pacific.	In the eastern Pacific, it is laden with low pressure on the surface of the water.
Trade Winds	When the trade winds of the tropical pacific ocean die out results in the temperature of the ocean becomes warmer. This in turn gives rise to the El Nino.	When the trade winds of the tropical pacific ocean blow really harder on the surface of the water results in the temperature of the ocean becomes colder due to the drift of the warmer water. This in turn gives rise to La Nina.
Seasons	It has a huge impact on climatic change and therefore affects the seasons. This makes the Northwest of the Pacific Ocean area warmer and drier during the winters and makes the southwest of the pacific ocean area wetter that results in the reduction of the snowfall.	It has a huge impact on climatic change and therefore affects the seasons. This makes the Northwest of the Pacific Ocean area wetter and causing precipitation during the winters and makes the southwest of the pacific ocean area less dry which results in the reduction of the precipitation.
Coriolis force	The strength of the Coriolis force decreases in it.	The strength of the Coriolis force increases in it.
cyclone	The speed of the wind is low in it	It has a higher tendency to create high-intensity cyclone in tropical regions as the warm water drifts from the Southern part of America and pile up in Indonesia and nearby areas as the wind coming from Africa gets blocked.
Ocean water in the Pacific	As the warm water approaches the coast of South America. Thus this results in the less upwelling of the cold nutrition-rich underwater to come up to the surface impacting the population of fishes.	It accelerates the occurrence of draught as the shifting of the warm water results in the increase of the upwelling of the cold nutrient-rich cold water.
Effects	Causes heavy rain in areas like Peru, Ecuador, southern Brazil but the situation of drought in Ethiopia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa. Warm winters are seen in southern America and Canada. Drought and scanty rain in India, Indonesia, Philippines, bleaching of coral worldwide.	Low temperature and high pressure are caused in Eastern Pacific. Cause draught in Peru and Ecuador. In Australia, it causes heavy floods. Rises temperature of Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, good rains in India and off-coast in Somalia.

FAQs on El Nino La Nina

1. How is Indian weather getting influenced by El Nino and La Nina?

They are an integral part of the global weather system. They are known for creating various oscillating patterns during their course. They have the tendency to recur and their tendency of recurrence is after 41/2 years. But they can even occur in less than 2 years or a maximum of 10 years gap. They have occurred in the past a number of times and can even occur in the future causing drought and scanty rain in India.

2. State the characteristics of El Nino and La Nina.

The characteristics of El Nino is positive ONI which is greater than or equal to +0.5^oC. The characteristics of Al Nina are negative ONI which is less than or equal to -0.5^oC.