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El Nino and La Nina. An important atmospheric variation that has an average period of three to seven years. Goes between El Nino, Neutral, and La Nina (ENSO cycle, El Nino Southern Oscillation) Has large influence both in the tropics and midlatitudes.
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El Nino and La Nina • An important atmospheric variation that has an average period of three to seven years. • Goes between El Nino, Neutral, and La Nina (ENSO cycle, El Nino Southern Oscillation) • Has large influence both in the tropics and midlatitudes. • Main source of forecast skill beyond a few weeks.
An Important Measure is the Temperature in the Tropical Pacific
Niño Region SST Departures (oC) Recent Evolution The latest weekly SST departures are: Niño 4 -0.6ºC Niño 3.4 -1.1ºC Niño 3 -1.2ºC Niño 1+2 -1.3ºC
Why do we care? • The circulations in the midlatitudes are substantially different in El Nino, Neutral, and La Nina years. • Since the temperature of the tropical Pacific changes relatively slowly, this gives some meteorologist some insights into the weather over the next several months.
Great Web Site on ENSO: Climate Prediction Centerhttp://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/precip/CWlink/MJO/enso.shtml