4.9 El Niño and La Niña

Cards (88)

What are El Niño and La Niña examples of?
Climate patterns
During El Niño, trade winds strengthen.
False
In La Niña, sea surface temperatures are cooler than normal in the eastern Pacific
How frequently does El Niño occur on average?
Every 2-7 years
What happens to precipitation in South America during El Niño?
Increases
Match the climate effects with the correct phenomenon:
Droughts in Australia and Indonesia ↔️ El Niño
Heavy rainfall in Australia and Indonesia ↔️ La Niña
In La Niña, droughts occur in South America
How frequently does La Niña occur on average?
Every 3-5 years
El Niño causes warmer sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific.
Which climate pattern is associated with heavy rainfall in Australia and Indonesia?
La Niña
In La Niña, the trade winds are stronger
During El Niño, Australia experiences heavy rainfall.
False
What happens to sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific during La Niña?
Cooler
What are the underlying causes of El Niño and La Niña?
Trade winds and SSTs
Order the effects of La Niña on the Pacific Ocean:
1️⃣ Trade winds strengthen
2️⃣ Cold water rises in the eastern Pacific
3️⃣ Sea surface temperature decreases
4️⃣ Heavy rainfall in Australia and Indonesia
5️⃣ Droughts in South America
La Niña brings cooler sea surface temperatures to the eastern Pacific
During El Niño, Australia experiences droughts.
Which climate pattern is associated with warmer sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific?
El Niño
During El Niño, warmer water accumulates in the eastern Pacific
What are the two natural climate patterns in the Pacific Ocean caused by shifts in trade winds and sea surface temperatures?
El Niño and La Niña
During El Niño, trade winds strengthen, while during La Niña, they weaken or reverse.
False
During El Niño, the usual easterly trade winds weaken
In contrast, La Niña sees the trade winds strengthen
What happens to sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific during El Niño?
Warmer
What happens to sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific during La Niña?
Cooler
Arrange the typical climate effects of El Niño and La Niña on precipitation in affected regions.
1️⃣ El Niño: Decreased precipitation in Australia and Indonesia
2️⃣ El Niño: Increased precipitation in South America
3️⃣ La Niña: Increased precipitation in Australia and Indonesia
4️⃣ La Niña: Decreased precipitation in South America
How does El Niño typically affect global temperatures?
Warmer than average
What type of extreme weather events is more likely during El Niño?
Droughts and floods
What type of climate effects does La Niña cause in South America?
Droughts
El Niño occurs when the trade winds weaken
How frequently does La Niña typically occur?
Every 3-5 years
The effects of El Niño and La Niña are limited to the Pacific Ocean.
False
El Niño and La Niña are natural climate patterns in the Pacific
Match the climate pattern with the state of trade winds:
El Niño ↔️ Weaken or reverse
La Niña ↔️ Strengthen
During La Niña, the sea surface temperature in the eastern Pacific becomes cooler
What is the typical climate effect of El Niño in Australia and Indonesia?
Droughts
La Niña occurs more frequently than El Niño.
False
Arrange the climate effects of El Niño in Australia and Indonesia.
1️⃣ Trade winds weaken
2️⃣ Sea surface temperature warms in eastern Pacific
3️⃣ Droughts occur in Australia and Indonesia
During La Niña, the strengthened trade winds result in cooler sea surface temperatures and opposite climate effects.
What are the effects of weakened trade winds on sea surface temperatures during El Niño?
Warmer