Explained: How El Nino and La Nina shape winter weather in India
More chills and shivers! As per reports, India may experience a colder-than-average winter this year thanks to La Niña. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday (9 October) predicted “an increased likelihood of La Niña conditions developing after the monsoon season.”
“Forecasts from the Monsoon Mission Climate Forecast System (MMCFS), along with other climate models, indicate an increased likelihood of La Niña conditions developing during the post-monsoon season,” the IMD said.
In simple words, brace yourself for colder winters!
Now, you all must be wondering – What is La Niña? In order to understand this, first you have to understand – What is El Niño?
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What is El Nino?
El Niño is a global climate phenomenon when the sea surface temperature becomes warmer. Centuries ago, some fishermen coined this term. As this happens around Christmas, El Nino, which is a Spanish phrase, means “The Little Boy” or “Christ child”.
What is reason behind El Nino?
El Nino emerges from variations in winds and sea surface temperatures over the tropical Pacific Ocean. However, it is not predictable.
The phenomena last a year or so each. It typically occurs every two to seven years with varying intensity. However, there are neutral periods of lower intensity interspersed.
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Impact of El Nino on India
The El Nino always has a devastating impact on India. It is strongly associated with weaker Indian monsoons. As a result of it, the southwest monsoon tends to be below normal. The reason is that the warming of Pacific waters disrupts atmospheric circulation, reducing moisture transport to India.
At times, the country experiences drought-like conditions, and northern India faces hotter summers with dry conditions and heatwaves.
What is La Nina?
La Nina, meaning “little girl” in Spanish, is the opposite of El Nino. During La Nina, sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean become cooler than average. This atmospheric phenomenon brings more rain and colder winters! In other words, it is associated with above-normal monsoon rainfall and often colder winters, especially in northwestern India (Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan).
HAPPY WINTERS!
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