1. What is an El Niño, Anyway?

2. An El Niño is a temporary change in the climate of the Pacific ocean near the equator.
The ocean surface water warms up.
At the same time, the place where big thunderstorms usually occur on the equator, moves eastward toward the United States.

3. North America
South
America
Asia
Australia
Pacific
Ocean

4. What causes an El Niño?

5. Usually, the wind blows strongly from east to west along the equator
Usually, the wind blows strongly from east to west along the equator. This pushes warm surface water toward Asia, and cold, deep water gets pulled up from below near the U.S. So normally there is warm water near Asia, cold water near the Americas.
West
East

6. Normal Ocean Conditions
Asia
North America
Warm
Cold
Pacific
Ocean
South
America
Australia
Normal Ocean Conditions

7. In an El Niño, the winds pushing the water around get weaker, and the warm water near Asia moves back toward the Americas.
The cold water sinks, and the warm water floats making the surface water warmer.

8. Normal Ocean Conditions
North America
South
America
Asia
Australia
Pacific
Ocean
Warm
Normal Ocean Conditions

9. What effect does an El Niño have?

10. Ocean Currents Affect The Weather Near Them!
What type of weather do you think a warm El Niño brings with it to North and South America?

11. A strong El Niño brings wet weather to North and South America
Avalanche in Peru
Flooding in Colorado

12. How did El Niño get it’s name?

13. Almost five hundred years ago, fishermen in South America noticed that every few years, the water became warm around Christmas time. This warmer-than-usual water was not very good for fishing. They named this pattern "El Niño," for the Christ Child, whose birth they celebrated on Christmas day.