El Nino

CNN Video Clips

"El Nino": Environmental Science 5th Ed. CNN Ed (1:54 min)
In the equatorial Pacific, surface winds normally flow east to west.  However, during certain periods of time and, for reasons still unknown, the easterly trade winds decrease in velocity and reverse direction, blowing winds from west to east and producing a weather event commonly known as an El Niño.  During this period of time, the atmospheric pressure changes, and warm water in the western equatorial Pacific reverses direction and flows eastward.  As a result, weather patterns around the globe change dramatically and sometimes without warning.  The aftermath of the 1997 El Niño left billions of dollars in damage and over 20,000 people dead worldwide.  In 2002, weather forecasters and officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted a return of the El Niño weather patterns.  Many scientists believe the El Niño of 2002 will not be as catastrophic as the one in 1997; however, researchers are monitoring sea surface temperatures closely for any shifts in climate change.  The worksheet includes the URL for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration web site.  (Student worksheet provided on CD)

"El Nino": Environmental Science 6th Ed. CNN Ed (3:47 min)
In the tropical Pacific, surface winds normally flow east to west.  However, every few years, the trade winds weaken or reverse direction, blowing winds from west to east.  At this time, the atmospheric pressure changes, and warm water in the western equatorial Pacific flows eastward towards South America.  This produces weather patterns around the globe that change dramatically.  The immediate change in wind direction is known as the Southern Oscillation, and the weather changes that follow are known as an El Niño event. Coupled together, both are known as El Niño–Southern Oscillation or ENSO.  A very strong ENSO can trigger extreme climate changes throughout the globe.  The aftermath of the 1997–1998 El Niño caused over 21,000 deaths and over $22 billion in damage worldwide.  In 2002, weather forecasters from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predict a return of the El Niño weather patterns.  Many scientists believe the El Niño of 2002 will not be as catastrophic as the one in 1997.  However, researchers are monitoring sea surface temperatures closely for any shifts in climate change.  The worksheet includes the URL for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website.  (Student worksheet provided on CD)

"El Nino": Environmental Science 7th Ed. CNN Ed (1:54 min)
In the equatorial Pacific, surface winds normally flow east to west.  However, during certain periods of time and, for reasons still unknown, the easterly trade winds decrease in velocity and reverse direction, blowing winds from west to east and producing a weather event commonly known as an El Niño.  During this period of time, the atmospheric pressure changes, and warm water in the western equatorial Pacific reverses direction and flows eastward.  As a result, weather patterns around the globe change dramatically and sometimes without warning.  The aftermath of the 1997 El Niño left billions of dollars in damage and over 20,000 people dead worldwide.  In 2002, weather forecasters and officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted a return of the El Niño weather patterns.  Many scientists believe the El Niño of 2002 will not be as catastrophic as the one in 1997; however, researchers are monitoring sea surface temperatures closely for any shifts in climate change.  The worksheet includes the URL for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration web site.  (Student worksheet provided on CD)