La Nina Pacific temperature cooler than normal Last 9-12 months The Pacific Ocean drops 3-5 degrees Reoccurs every 3-7 years Cause by a decrease in ocean temp and increase in trade wind strength The westward wind gets stronger Allowing low cooler water to surface toward South America Cloud build up in Southeast Asia The wet period in the middle eastern U.S Drought in South-eastern U.S Flood in Australia Brings nutrients to the South American coast Cooler and snowier Canadian winter Up welling of cool water El Nino Warm ocean current flow along the equator Occur every 4-7 years Trade wind weakens during El Nino Water flows downhill to the east Less warm air rises in the west As a result, less wind is created Wind can no longer push warm water from the coast of South America Warm water pushes cooler, unwilling water No upwelling to fertilize phytoplankton El Niño produces a lot of evaporation More cloud build-up in South America READ: Stephen Edwin King: Author & Biography Author: William Anderson (Schoolworkhelper Editorial Team) https://schoolworkhelper.net/ Tutor and Freelance Writer. Science Teacher and Lover of Essays. Article last reviewed: 2022 | St. Rosemary Institution © 2010-2023 | Creative Commons 4.0