El Niño

American  

[el neen-yoh, el nee-nyaw] / ɛl ˈnin yoʊ, ɛl ˈni nyɔ /

noun

1. a warm ocean current of variable intensity that develops after late December along the coast of Ecuador and Peru and sometimes causes catastrophic weather conditions.

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El Niño British  

/ ɛl ˈniːnjəʊ /

noun

1. meteorol a warming of the eastern tropical Pacific occurring every few years, which alters the weather pattern of the tropics

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El Niño Scientific  

/ ĕlnēn′yō /

1. A warming of the surface water of the eastern and central Pacific Ocean, occurring every 4 to 12 years and causing unusual global weather patterns. An El Niño is said to occur when the trade winds that usually push warm surface water westward weaken, allowing the warm water to pool as far eastward as the western coast of South America. When this happens, the typical pattern of coastal upwelling that carries nutrients from the cold depths to the ocean surface is disrupted, and fish and plankton die off in large numbers. El Niño warming is associated with the atmospheric phenomenon known as the southern oscillation, and their combined effect brings heavy rain to western South American and drought to eastern Australia and Indonesia. El Niño also affects the weather in the United States, but not as predictably.

2. Compare La Niña

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El Niño Cultural  

1. A warming of the surface water of the eastern and central Pacific Ocean, occurring every four to twelve years when cold water does not rise to the surface, causing unusual weather patterns. The warmer water kills fish and plankton, brings heavy rains to western South America, and causes drought in eastern Australia and Indonesia.

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Etymology

Origin of El Niño

< Spanish: literally, the child, i.e., the Christ child, alluding to the appearance of the current near Christmas

Example Sentences

And scientists fear that a natural warming phase called El Niño – expected to begin later this year - could soon bring further heat records.

From BBC

It’s too early to tell what wildfire season will bring in California this year, especially given that we are entering a potentially very significant El Niño event, said Swain.

From Los Angeles Times

El Niño and La Niña are among the most important natural weather patterns on Earth, and can affect temperatures and rainfall around the world.

From BBC

These influences include El Niño events, volcanic eruptions, and variations in solar activity.

From Science Daily

During El Niño phases, Australia often becomes a major drought hub, while other regions respond in different ways.

From Science Daily