What are some main differences between El Nio and La Nia?
El Nio and La Nia represent opposite extremes in the naturally occurring climate cycle referred to as the El Nio/Southern Oscillation (ENSO). They are associated with opposite extremes in sea-surface temperature departures across the central and east-central equatorial Pacific, and with opposite extremes in convective rainfall, surface air pressure, and atmospheric circulation, departures in the Tropics from Indonesia to South America (approximately the distance around the globe). Usually, sea-surface temperatures off South America’s west coast range from the 60s to 70sF, while they exceed 80F in the “warm pool” located in the central and western Pacific. Deep atmospheric convection over the equatorial Pacific is generally confined to this warm pool area. During El Nio the equatorial easterly trade winds diminish, resulting in an eastward shift of the Pacific warm pool and associated area of tropical convective rainfall. During a strong El Nio the warm pool covers the entire eastern ha
