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)