What is the La Nina phenomenon?

Summary

La Niña, characterized by the cooling of the Pacific Ocean's surface, has returned after a brief respite, promising further global weather disruptions. This phenomenon, occurring every few years, caused severe floods in Australia and Colombia, and contributed to a harsh winter in northern Asia. The Horn of Africa is at risk, with 12 million people facing starvation as La Niña's recurrence threatens the upcoming rains, crucial for alleviating the region's drought.

Takeaways

• 🌊 'La Niña' is a weather phenomenon characterized by the cooling of surface waters in the Pacific Ocean, which appears in blue and purple on NASA images.
• ❄️ La Niña has been responsible for destructive weather patterns globally over the past 18 months, including floods and extreme cold.
• 🌧️ The previous La Niña episode led to devastating floods in Australia and Colombia, with Colombia's President calling it the country's worst natural disaster.
• ❄️ It also contributed to a brutal winter in northern Asia, including a snowstorm that blanketed parts of South Korea with 80 centimeters of snow.
• 🌦️ La Niña was one of the factors causing failed rains across the Horn of Africa, exacerbating the region's drought conditions.
• 🌀 The return of La Niña conditions suggests a continuation of similar weather disruptions, including the potential for further rainfall failure in the Horn of Africa.
• 🌾 The next expected rains in the Horn of Africa were due in November, but with La Niña's return, there's a risk these rains will also fail.
• 🥶 The failure of November rains could be particularly devastating, as it could increase the number of people at risk of starvation in the region.
• 📈 Currently, 12 million people in the Horn of Africa are in danger of starvation, and this number is expected to rise if the rains do not come as anticipated.

Q & A

What is La Niña?

La Niña is the cooling of the surface water of the Pacific Ocean, which is a naturally occurring phenomenon that happens every few years.

How does La Niña affect global weather patterns?

La Niña can cause significant disruptions to global weather patterns, leading to extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and severe winters.

What were some of the devastating effects of the previous La Niña episode mentioned in the script?

The previous La Niña episode resulted in devastating floods in Australia, flooding in Colombia, a brutal winter in northern Asia, and failed rains across the Horn of Africa.

How did the La Niña event impact Colombia?

The La Niña event caused severe flooding in Colombia, which President Juan Manuel Santos described as the country's worst natural disaster.

What was the impact of La Niña on South Korea?

La Niña contributed to a severe winter in South Korea, with one storm depositing 80 centimeters of snow.

What are the expected consequences of La Niña's return for the Horn of Africa?

With the return of La Niña, the Horn of Africa may experience failed rains, which could lead to increased risk of starvation for the region's population.

How many people are at risk of starvation in the Horn of Africa due to La Niña?

Currently, 12 million people are in danger of starvation in the Horn of Africa due to the potential failure of rains associated with La Niña.

What is the significance of the November rains for the Horn of Africa?

The November rains are crucial for the Horn of Africa, as their failure due to La Niña could exacerbate the risk of starvation for the region's inhabitants.

What color coding is used in the NASA image to represent La Niña's cooling effect on the Pacific Ocean?

In the NASA image, the cooling effect of La Niña on the Pacific Ocean is shown in blue and purple.

How significant is the temperature drop associated with La Niña?

The temperature drop associated with La Niña is relatively small, just a couple of degrees, but it has a significant impact on global weather.

What does the script suggest about the future weather patterns if La Niña conditions continue?

If La Niña conditions persist, we can expect a continuation of extreme weather patterns similar to those experienced during the previous episodes.