World Changing Effects of La Niña

[basanti<<<]

. What is La Niña?
La Niña is a global weather pattern based on lower-than-average temperatures in a current in the east-central equatorial Pacific Ocean. This shifts rainfall and other climate conditions compared to El Niño, when this ocean current is warmer than average.

The original definition of La Niña was confined to describing the periodically cooler temperatures off the coasts of Peru and Ecuador.

Generally, one would expect to find that changes in temperature in the "east-central Pacific" would be reflected in a country such as Peru, which sits very nicely at the eastern edge of the Pacific. Surprisingly, the effects are felt in many locations around the world.
In Spanish, "La Niña" means "The Girl" and "El Niño" means "The (male) Child".

[basanti<<<]

La Niña's Typical Effect on Peru's Weather Cycles
Peru's weather cycles, especially its temperatures, are directly affected by La Niña and El Niño. Commercial fishing tends to have higher catches during La Niña conditions as compared to El Niño. This was fairly obvious to Peruvian fishermen, since they could notice both the temperature changes and the effects.

[basanti<<<]

To the North, Montana's Climate Patterns are Also Affected
Montana's spring is cooler and wetter than average under the influence of La Niña. There will be fewer days with extremely high temperatures and fewer nights with extremely low temperatures. Rainfall will be higher than average.
Farmers would plant their hard red spring wheat later, since the seeds will not sprout as quickly in cooler weather but will have a longer growing season thanks to the increased rainfall.

[basanti<<<]

Farther North, La Niña Cools Canada's Weather Cycles

La Niña's cooler temperatures also affect Canada from British Columbia's west coast, through the Prairie provinces and into Ontario. Southern BC receives more snow than average; much of southern Canada will receive higher precipitation of all types.

Fishing is also affected: Sockeye salmon will travel through the Strait of Juan de Fuca thanks to the preferred lower temperatures. This allows American fishing vessels to share the catch. During an El Niño, the salmon will detour farther north, eluding the Americans but favouring the Canadian fishing boats.

[basanti<<<]

Drought in East Africa Also Due to La Niña
La Niña's effects are not confined to the Americas. Rainfall is shifted to the south-west, into Australia as well as Indonesia and southern Asia. This leaves less rain for the eastern African countries of Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and especially Somalia. There, the wet season normally lasts three months, ending in December. By the summer of 2011, a drought will have lasted two years, affecting both crops and forage for livestock.

The United Nations had previously reported that this region normally is "relatively dry". Under La Niña's influence, there is far less rain, leading to drought. National borders and internal conflicts make food shortages and famine very real threats to many of the region's inhabitants. In mid-2011, the Canada Foodgrains Bank, along with other international relief agencies, are working to alleviate the distress and suffering.

[basanti<<<]

.......................

[basanti<<<]

replies................