On June 9,
the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed the arrival of Global El Niño, a weather event that is expected to gain strength with the passing of months and could have a moderate to strong impact on Peru.
When will its effects be felt?
What is it and where does it occur?
According to the
Peruvian Sea Institute (Imarpe), the "El Niño" or Global El Niño —as it is called to differentiate it from
Coastal El Niño— emerged at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.
This climate pattern is characterized by the abnormal warming of the northern Peruvian coast, which is associated with the El Niño current and heavy rains.
Its meaning has changed over the years. In some South American countries such as Peru and Ecuador, the increase in the
Sea Surface Temperature (SST) on the west coast of South America accompanied by heavy rains is called "El Niño."
It includes changes in SST in the central equatorial Pacific, as well as changes in atmospheric pressure in the Pacific Ocean, from Australia to Tahiti.
In recent years, scientists have split the equatorial Pacific into four regions to focus attention on the evolution of ocean surface temperatures and winds. Most of them focus their attention on the Niño 3 and Niño 3.4 regions.
NOAA uses the
Oceanic El Niño Index (ONI) to define El Niño and La Niña events. This index is defined as a 3-month average of sea surface temperature anomalies measured in the tropical Pacific –in the Niño 3.4 region.
(END) KGR/RRC/RMB/MVB
Published: 7/4/2023