The more you know about El Nino, the better prepared you can be.
It is almost impossible to listen to the weather forecast without hearing something about El Nino. But how much do you really know about the storm system? Keep these answers to common El Nino questions in mind to ensure you are ready for whatever Mother Nature has in store.
What is ENSO?
ENSO, or El Nino-Southern Oscillation, is the name that scientists gave to El Nino. In the 1950s, scientists realized that El Nino and the Southern Oscillation of the air pressure between western and eastern halves of the Pacific are part of the same weather event.
What causes El Nino?
During an El Nino, the trade winds that generally blow to the west along the equator diminish, causing the Humboldt Current, or the cold ocean current that flows north along the Peru and Chile coasts, to weaken. With the weakened Humboldt Current, the waters along the coast of Peru and Chile warm, causing warmer than usual conditions along the coast of South America.
Is every El Nino the same?
Each El Nino is slightly different in how long it lasts and its strength. The current El Nino is predicted to be one of the strongest to ever hit the area.
How does El Nino affect the climate?
Strong El Nino’s are associated with heavy rains and mudslides in Southern California, fewer hurricanes in the southeast, and milder winter temperatures in the northeast. Effects of El Nino can be felt for more than a year around the world.
How frequently does El Nino occur?
Typically, El Nino conditions occur irregularly every two to seven years.
Getting ready for El Nino before it hits is the best way to stay safe. All of us at Proforma Construction in Pleasanton, California would like to encourage you to do your part to get ready for the storm.