La Niña Update
Context:
Climate scientists warn that as climate change intensifies, the cooling effects of La Niña may weaken in the future due to rising global temperatures, reflected in the current heat trends across much of the country.
Relevance:
GS-01 (Geography)
What is La Niña?
- La Niña is the colder phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
- It is also called the Little Girl in Spanish.
- It is a period that represents below-average sea surface temperature (–0.5ºC or lower) across the east-central Equatorial Pacific.
- On the other hand, El Niño, involves warming of the same region, causing contrasting weather patterns globally.
Key Features of La Niña
- La Niña typically leads to normal or above-normal rainfall during India’s monsoon season.
- Globally, it causes droughts in Africa and intensifies hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean.
- La Niña winters are marked by colder nights but slightly higher daytime temperatures.
Prelims Question:
Consider the following statements about La Niña:
- La Niña refers to the periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean.
- La Niña is generally associated with increased rainfall in India and stronger monsoon seasons.
- La Niña conditions typically lead to higher global temperatures.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 2 and 3 only
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation:
- Incorrect – La Niña refers to the cooling of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, not warming (which is associated with El Niño).
- Correct – La Niña is linked to stronger monsoons and increased rainfall in India.
- Incorrect – La Niña typically leads to lower global temperatures due to cooling in the Pacific Ocean.
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