What caused El Nio and the warm temperatures that came with it and why did it happen?
El Nio is caused by a recurring cycle in which the sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean periodically warm up and then cool down. No one is exactly sure how this works, but it begins with a change in the air pressure which leads to a change in wind direction which eventually causes the change in water temperature. Once the water is heated, it causes the air above it to speed up which causes changes in the weather such as the warm temperatures in Illinois. After a while, the change in weather pattern, makes the water temperature go down and the El Nio ends. El Nio occurs every 3 to 5 years, and are frequently followed by the opposite effect called La Nia. La Nia also causes changes in the weather but not as drastic as El Nio. EXPERT: Jim Lushine National Weather Service QUESTION: The Navy meteorology group here in Misawa, Aomori, Japan, told us the temperature in the Sea of Japan is almost one degree warmer than normal this winter. Is this due to global warming or La Ni
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