World maps showing the effects of ENSO patterns. During El Niño, there is dry air, sinking along the equator above Australia and South America. There are warmer than average sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, with cooler than average waters surrounding them. During La Niña, there is dry, sinking air over Africa and the Pacific Ocean near the equator. There are cooler than average sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, with warmer than average waters surrounding them.
© 2016 NOAA Climate.gov
El Niño and La Niña are recurring climate patterns across the tropical Pacific. Together they make up the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, or "ENSO" for short. ENSO is Earth's most influential natural climate pattern.

The pattern can shift back and forth irregularly every two to seven years and cause disruptions of temperature, precipitation, and winds.

These changes disrupt the air movements in the tropics. During El Niño, there are warmer sea surface temperatures in the Pacific. This weakens the easterly winds. During La Niña, the sea surface temperatures are cooler than normal, and the easterly winds become stronger.

Answer the following questions:

What is El Niño?
What is La Niña?
How do El Niño and La Niña differ?

United States Impacts
World maps showing the effects of ENSO patterns. During El Niño, there is dry air, sinking along the equator above Australia and South America. There are warmer than average sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, with cooler than average waters surrounding them. During La Niña, there is dry, sinking air over Africa and the Pacific Ocean near the equator. There are cooler than average sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, with warmer than average waters surrounding them.
© 2016 NOAA Climate.gov
By modifying the Pacific jet streams, El Niño and La Niña can affect temperature and precipitation across the United States. The influence on the U.S. is strongest during the Northern Hemisphere winter. This map shows typical impacts of La Niña on U.S. winter weather. These impacts have been associated with La Niña events in the past, but not all of these impacts happen during every La Niña episode.

Answer the following question:

Based on the wintertime La Niña weather map, what do you think Florida's temperature and precipitation would be like during a winter El Niño event?

Global Impacts
El Niño and La Niña have their strongest impact on global climate

Question

World maps showing the effects of ENSO patterns. During El Niño, there is dry air, sinking along the equator above Australia and South America. There are warmer than average sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, with cooler than average waters surrounding them. During La Niña, there is dry, sinking air over Africa and the Pacific Ocean near the equator. There are cooler than average sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, with warmer than average waters surrounding them.
© 2016 NOAA Climate.gov
El Niño and La Niña are recurring climate patterns across the tropical Pacific. Together they make up the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, or "ENSO" for short. ENSO is Earth's most influential natural climate pattern.

The pattern can shift back and forth irregularly every two to seven years and cause disruptions of temperature, precipitation, and winds.

These changes disrupt the air movements in the tropics. During El Niño, there are warmer sea surface temperatures in the Pacific. This weakens the easterly winds. During La Niña, the sea surface temperatures are cooler than normal, and the easterly winds become stronger.

Answer the following questions:

What is El Niño?
What is La Niña?
How do El Niño and La Niña differ?

United States Impacts
World maps showing the effects of ENSO patterns. During El Niño, there is dry air, sinking along the equator above Australia and South America. There are warmer than average sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, with cooler than average waters surrounding them. During La Niña, there is dry, sinking air over Africa and the Pacific Ocean near the equator. There are cooler than average sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, with warmer than average waters surrounding them.
© 2016 NOAA Climate.gov
By modifying the Pacific jet streams, El Niño and La Niña can affect temperature and precipitation across the United States. The influence on the U.S. is strongest during the Northern Hemisphere winter. This map shows typical impacts of La Niña on U.S. winter weather. These impacts have been associated with La Niña events in the past, but not all of these impacts happen during every La Niña episode.

Answer the following question:

Based on the wintertime La Niña weather map, what do you think Florida's temperature and precipitation would be like during a winter El Niño event?

Global Impacts
El Niño and La Niña have their strongest impact on global climate