What is El Nino for UPSC exam?

 El Niño is a climate pattern that occurs in the tropical Pacific Ocean. It is characterized by a period of warmer than normal sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean accompanied by changes in atmospheric circulation and worldwide weather patterns. El Niño usually occurs every 2 to 7 years and can last from a few months to a year or more.

During El Niño, the trade winds that normally blow from east to west weaken, allowing warm water from the western Pacific to flow back into the central and eastern Pacific. This leads to the accumulation of warm surface water in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, which can have a significant impact on global weather patterns. El Niño impacts can vary depending on the magnitude and duration of the event, but some common impacts include:

Changes in precipitation patterns:

El Niño can increase rainfall and flooding in some areas, and cause drought in others. For example, during an El Niño, heavy rainfall is possible in parts of South America and the southern United States, while drought conditions are possible in Southeast Asia and Australia.

Disrupting marine ecosystems:

The warm waters associated with El Niño can have profound effects on marine ecosystems. For example, coral reefs can experience bleaching events due to pressure from higher water temperatures.

Impact on fishing:

El Niño can affect the distribution and abundance of marine life, including fish populations. Fishermen may experience changes in fish availability and behavior, which can affect local economies and food supplies.

Impact on global weather conditions:

El Niño can affect weather patterns around the world. It is associated with increased hurricane activity in the eastern Pacific and decreased hurricane activity in the Atlantic. It can also affect the strength and location of jet streams, which can impact weather patterns in North America, Europe and other regions.

El Niño events are closely watched by meteorologists and meteorologists because of their ability to disrupt weather patterns and impact various sectors, including agriculture, water resources and public health. copper.