La Niña
Americannoun
noun
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A cooling of the surface water of the eastern and central Pacific Ocean, occurring somewhat less frequently than El Niño events but causing similar, generally opposite disruptions to global weather patterns. La Niña conditions occur when the Pacific trade winds blow more strongly than usual, pushing the sun-warmed surface water farther west and increasing the upwelling of cold water in the eastern regions. Together with the atmospheric effects of the related southern oscillation, the cooler water brings drought to western South America and heavy rains to eastern Australia and Indonesia.
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Compare El Niño
Etymology
Origin of La Niña
First recorded in 1985–90; from Spanish: literally, “the female child”; patterned after El Niño ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The so-called Beast from the East in 2018 actually occurred during a La Niña year, effectively the opposite of El Niño.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
During La Niña, warmer waters remain farther west, strengthening monsoon rains across parts of South and Southeast Asia.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 3, 2026
As it turns out, El Niño and La Niña aren’t the only players in determining how much rain and snow fall over Southern California.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 14, 2026
For instance, last fall brought with it another La Niña, and an expectation for a dangerously dry winter for Southern California.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 14, 2026
Antonio then took the trail, and guided them through the chapparal; not as they had come to La Niña, but by a path that led to the upper plain by another pass in the cliffs.
From The White Chief A Legend of Northern Mexico by L. Evans
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