El Niño

WEATHER UNDERGROUND Dec 97' El Niño El Niño Every 3-7 years, variations in tropical winds & pressure shift warm ocean water east to the South American coast, causing an EI Niño event. Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly °C -3 -2 -1 3 Form Sinking Air (over cool water] Rising Air (over warm water] Warm water current equator South Pacific Ocean 1997-1998 was the strongest El Niño on record since 1950. Records February Snowfall: Alpine Meadows Ski Resort February Precipitation: San FrancisCO 1998 13.64" 186" (EI Niño) 4.06" Average 78.7" 1998 Average inches (EI Niño) Compare The El Niño La Niña Difference is in the Water El Niño brings warm La Niña brings ocean water east cooler water temperatures to the Equatorial to the South American coast. Pacific Ocean. El Niño, La Niña occurrence (1995-2011) Neutral El Niño La Niña °C -1 -2 1995 2000 2005 2010 Impacts Western & Southern U.S. El Niño February 1998 a series of storms in increases vertical tend to be wetter than wind shear over the California caused about tropics, reducing Atlantic hurricanes. $550 million in damage and killed 17 people. normal in an El Niño year. For more on El Niño visit wunderground.com WEATHER UNDERGROUND