a warm water current which periodically flows southwards along the coast of Ecuador and Peru in South America, replacing the usually cold northwards flowing current; occurs once every five to seven years usually during the Christmas season (the name refers to the Christ child). Occasionally (e.g. 1925, 1972-73, 1982-83 and 1990-94) the occurrence is major and prolonged; the opposite phase of an El Niño event is called a La Niña ( see enso)

A periodic warming of the tropical Pacific ocean which affects weather around the world. Typical consequences of El Niño include increased rainfall in the southern US and drought in the western Pacific. Winter temperatures in the north-central states of the US are typically warmer than normal in El Niño years, and cooler than normal in the south-east and south-west of the country. However, its effects outside the tropical Pacific are unpredictable, and almost any definition would be disputed by meteorologists. The warmest and coldest winters in the north-eastern US since 1950 have both occurred during El Niño periods. The name of the phenomenon derives from the fact that it tends to appear around Christmas – El Niño means "little boy" in Spanish, the name commonly given to the infant Christ. A 1997/1998 El Niño winter gave a boost to the weather derivatives market by prompting energy companies to hedge against mild winter weather that would decrease energy demand.

A naturally occurring ocean condition resulting in major changes in weather and biological productivity

a complex set of changes in the water temperature in the Eastern Pacific equatorial region, producing a warm current; it occurs annually to some degree between October and February, but in some years intensifies and causes unusual storms and destruction of marine life and land ecosystems. (From Spanish for "the child;" meaning the Christ child; it typically begins at Christmas time) (Morris 1992).

Warm-water conditions off the western tropical coasts of the Americas, occurring irregularly but usually around Christmastime, caused by weakening trade winds and causing depleted fisheries, heavier-than-normal rain in the central and eastern Pacific, and drought in the western Pacific.

Spanish for the “Christ Child”; refers to the warm Pacific Ocean currents that periodically appear around Christmas time and can last for months.

Name given to the occasional development of warm ocean surface waters along the coast of Ecuador and Peru. When this warming occurs the tropical Pacific trade winds weaken and the usual upwelling of cold, nutrient rich deep ocean water off the coast of Ecuador and Peru is reduced. The El Nino normally occurs around Christmas and lasts usually for a few weeks to a few months. Sometimes an extremely warm event can develop that lasts for much longer time periods.

the periodic appearance of unusually warm waters in the eastern Pacific around December, which affects regional and global weather patterns (El Niño)

Spanish for the "Christ Child". Fishermen in Peru and Ecuador used to use this term to refer to a warming of coastal waters around Christmastime that occurs most years. It has come to be used as a term for abnormal warming events which occur, on an average of two or three times a decade and typically last for a few seasons. It has important consequenses to climate as well as for ocean states (fishing etc) [Go to source

a natural pattern in the ocean-atmosphere system that leads to substantial changes in atmospheric circulation throughout the Asia-Pacific region

The surface temperature over a very large region on the eastern side of the Pacific Ocean near the equator tends to vary more than the ocean temperature in other regions of the world's ocean. This variation is known as El Nino for warmer than average conditions, La Nina for colder than average conditions, and Neutral for conditions near to average. El Nino and La Nina are part of a large-scale change in both the atmosphere and the ocean in the equatorial regions, and the whole phenomenon is known as El Nino Southern Oscillation (or ENSO; the Southern Oscillation refers to the atmospheric changes). Ocean temperatures several degrees warmer than usual tend to occur every few years, and last for 9-12 months. The warmer than normal waters usually start to appear in (Northern Hemisphere) autumn, peak in temperature during the winter, and die away in spring. ENSO has very dramatic local effects on fish populations, and also distant effects on the climates of countries surrounding the Pacific Ocean, including much of the US. The effects on Europe are weak, perhaps even non-existent. The biggest El Nino events of this century occurred during the winters of 1982/1983, and 1986/1987.

a weather phenomenon that occurs in the eastern and central equatorial Pacific Ocean. During an El Niño, the affected area's winds weaken and sea temperatures become warmer.

A warming of the waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific ocean, so called because it generally develops just after Christmas. When this occurs, plankton and fish are killed in the coastal water and a phenomenon somewhat like the red tide of Florida results. Its wide spread effects of weather shifts and jet stream pattern changes now are recorded on a global scale with a cyclic occurrence.

A climatic phenomenon occurring irregularly, but generally every three to five years. El Niño — or “little boy,” referring to the Christ child — often becomes evident during the Christmas season in the surface oceans of the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. The phenomenon involves seasonal changes in the direction of the tropical winds over the Pacific, and abnormally warm surface ocean temperatures in the eastern Pacific. The changes in the tropics, which are most intense in the Pacific region, can disrupt weather patterns throughout the tropics and can extend to higher latitudes, especially in Central and North America. (Source: Government of Canada Climate Change Site, Glossary of Climate Change Terms)

A disruption of the ocean-atmosphere system in the tropical Pacific characterized by sea water temperatures warmer than normal and having important consequences for weather around the globe, including increased rainfall across the southern United States.

The flow of warm water eastward from the Pacific Ocean that reverses the upwelling of cold water along the western coast of South America and causes significant global changes in weather patterns.

A condition of unusually high surface water temperatures occurring in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. It typically results in warm inshore current flowing along the coast of Ecuador and about every seven to ten years it extends southward down to the coast of Peru with frequently devastating effects on weather, crops, and fishing.

A combination of atmospheric and oceanic events characterized by a warming of the water in the equatorial Pacific ocean.

comes from the Spanish term for "the Christ Child" because of the occurrence of warmer than normal waters that disrupted fishing along the coast of Ecuador and Peru around Christmas. Common usage of the term has expanded to refer to the large scale warming of the tropical Pacific Ocean at irregular intervals of between about 2 and 7 years and lasting for 1 to 3 years. [ El Niño Theme Page

A periodic warming of surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific ocean. El Niño is renowned for its association with climate disruptions both locally and around the world.

(oceanography) a warm ocean current that flows along the equator from the date line and south off the coast of Ecuador at Christmas time

an abnormal warming of the waters of the central and eastern Equatorial Pacific

an unusual warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Equatorial Pacific

a seasonal climatic phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean which causes widespread weather disruption

a warming of the ocean off the coast of Ecuador that is known to cause changes in normal weather patterns around the Pacific

an episodic movement of warm surface water south along the coast of Peru associated with the cessation of upwelling in this region

(Also called El Niño-Southern Oscillation Event, or ENSO.) A warm water current which periodically flows southward along the coast of Ecuador, associated with the Southern Oscillation in the atmosphere, and which affects climate throughout the Pacific region. Approximately once every seven years in late December, prevailing trade winds weaken and the equatorial countercurrent strengthens. Warm surface waters, normally driven westward by the wind to form a deep layer off Indonesia, flow eastward to overlie the cold waters of the Peru Current. The Southern Oscillation is a fluctuation of the intertropical atmospheric circulation in which air moves between the southeastern Pacific subtropical high and the Indonesian equatorial low, driven by the temperature difference between the two areas.

A periodic warming of the ocean surface off the western coast of South America caused by the absence of the normal upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water.

A significant increase in sea surface temperature over the eastern and central equatorial Pacific that occurs at irregular intervals, generally ranging between two and seven years. Associated changes occur in atmospheric pressure patterns and wind systems across the Pacific. These can lead to changes in seasonal rainfall and temperature in parts of Australia and New Zealand.

Anormalous warming of ocean water resulting from the oscillation of current in the South Pacific, usually accompanied by heavy rainfall in the coastal region of Peru and Chile, and reduction of rainfall in equatorial Africa and Australia.

Refers to a sustained warming of sea surface temperatures (SSTs) across a broad region of the eastern and central tropical Pacific Ocean. This tends to be associated with drier winters in the Pacific Northwest and wetter winters in the Southwest United States. El Niño events are also called warm events.

Periodic warming of the Eastern and Central Pacific Ocean. This can result in extreme weather events around the world.

l NEEN-yo A periodic slack in the trade winds that prevents upwelling along Peru's coast and changes global weather patterns. 883

a great warming of the equatorial waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean; El Nino events occur every three to seven years and are related to shifts in global weather patterns.

a periodic warming of Pacific Ocean currents that occurs when changes in atmospheric pressure prevent cold water from rising to the surface

Change in global weather patterns caused by anomalous warming of the eastern Pacific Ocean by at least 3 degrees. Associated with droughts affecting some areas and incessant storms and rainfall inundating others.

An extensive ocean warming that begins along the coast of Peru and Ecuador. Major El Nino events occur once every 3 to 7 years as a current of nutrient-poor tropical water moves southward along the coast of South America. El Nino is typically followed by an effect called "La Nina".

An extensive ocean warning that begins along the coast of Peru and Equador.

THE WARM PHASE OF ENSO.

A climatic change marked by shifting of a large warm water pool from the western Pacific Ocean towards the east. Wind direction and precipitation patterns are changed over much of the Pacific and perhaps around the world.

A warm current that usually appears around Christmas off the coast of Ecuador and Peru[, often] used to refer to episodic (3-5 year) events when the current is particularly intense and dominates the local population of organisms (the abundance of fish in particular). Such events lead to wider regional or global ocean-atmospheric perturbations whose manifestations range from increased sea surface temperatures in the tropical East Pacific to aberrant rainfall patterns. (see also ENSO).

A major warming of the tropical Pacific waters. Causes shifts in normal weather patterns.

Spanish for "the Christ child," this is an extraordinarily strong episode (occurring every two to seven years) of the annual warming of the Pacific waters off the coast of Peru and Ecuador.

an irregularly recurring flow of unusually warm surface waters from the Pacific Ocean toward and along the western coast of South America; prevents upwelling of nutrient-rich, cold, deep water and disrupts typical regional and global weather patterns

Significant warming of the waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean, usually off the coast of South America, which results in shifts of world-wide weather patterns. Can cause prolonged periods of drought or floods.

Or El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), is an anomalous oceanographic and atmospheric event in the equatorial Pacific Ocean that usually occurs every three to seven years and is characterized by an increase in the sea-surface temperature in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. ENSO is thought to be responsible for anomalous climatic conditions spanning most of the globe. Many of the resulting impacts of El Niño are negative, causing drought, famine, and floods.

A climate disturbance occurring every 2 to 5 years in the Pacific Ocean. A region of warm water forms in the western Pacific and moves toward South America, altering weather and rainfall patterns, wind directions, and even the jet stream. El Niño events contribute to floods and droughts in the Americas, Africa, and Australia.

El Niño is a warm surface current that usually appears in the Pacific Ocean off Ecuador and Peru around Christmas, and lasts about three months. Every three to seven years it remains for as long as a year-and-a-half as part of a southern oscillation. In North America, this contributes to warmer temperatures along the Pacific coast and weaker hurricanes on the Atlantic.

Southern Oscillation episodes—large-scale, cyclical (3–7 years), warming and cooling episodes across the equatorial Pacific; warm water pools in the east during El Niño conditions and, conversely, in the west during ‘La Niña' conditions.

An extensive warming that begins along the coast of Peru and Ecuador; occurs once every 3 to 7 years. El Nino refers to "the time of your (Christmas) which these countries notice changes in fishing". El Nino means "the little boy" - which refers to the Christ Child.

an irregular variation of ocean current that, from January to February, flows off the west coast of South America, carrying warm, low-salinity, nutrient-poor water to the south; does not usually extend farther than a few degrees south of the Equator, but occasionally it does penetrate beyond 12°S, displacing the relatively cold Peruvian current; usually short-lived effects, but sometimes last more than a year, raising sea-surface temperatures along the coast of Peru and in the equatorial eastern Pacific Ocean, having disastrous effects on marine life and fishing

an extensive warming of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean that leads to a major shift in weather patterns across the Pacific. In Australia (particularly eastern Australia), El Niño events are associated with an increased probability of drier conditions

A warming of the ocean surface off the western coast of South America that occurs every 4 to 12 years when upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water does not occur. It causes die-offs of plankton and fish and affects Pacific jet stream winds, altering storm tracks and creating unusual weather patterns in various parts of the world.

a combined ocean and atmosphere pattern which results in an increase in sea-surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific off the east coast of North America but reduced sea-surface temperatures around Australia, resulting in lower than average rainfall and a smaller likelihood of cyclones in Australia

A warming of the surface waters of the eastern equatorial Pacific that occurs at irregular intervals of 2-7 years, usually lasting 1-2 years. Along the west coast of South America, southerly winds promote the upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water that sustains large fish populations, that sustain abundant sea birds, whose droppings support the fertilizer industry. Near the end of each calendar year, a warm current of nutrient-pool tropical water replaces the cold, nutrient-rich surface water. Because this condition often occurs around Christmas, it was named El Niño (Spanish for boy child, referring to the Christ child). In most years the warming last only a few weeks or a month, after which the weather patterns return to normal and fishing improves. However, when El Niño conditions last for many months, more extensive ocean warming occurs and economic results can be disastrous. El Niño has been linked to wetter, colder winters in the United States; drier, hotter summers in South America and Europe; and drought in Africa. See ENSO.

a warming of the ocean current along the coasts of Peru and Ecuador that is generally associated with dramatic changes in the weather patterns of the region; a major El Niño event generally occurs every 3 to 7 years and is associated with changes in the weather patterns worldwide

A condition, originally applied to the surface waters of the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, wherein the usual cold, marine-life-supporting surficial. waters are replaced by unusual warm waters; it was thought to occur around Christmas, hence the Spanish name for "The Child."

Linked ocean and atmospheric events, which have worldwide effects, characterized by warming of the water in the tropical Pacific from around the International Date Line to the coast of Peru.

The appearance of unusually warm waters in the eastern Pacific; termed the "Christ child," because of the time of year it effects the South American coastline.

A periodic warming of the ocean surface waters at the equator in the Pacific Ocean. It can affect upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich waters nearshore.

Refers to the warming of the eastern Pacific Ocean waters near the equator, which typically results in dramatic alterations in the weather patterns in many parts of the Americas. El Niño is Spanish for a male child and is a reference to the "Christ Child". The term originated from Peruvian fisherman who noted changes in fishing catches (caused by changes in the water temperature) occurring around Christmas time.

A major warming of the equatorial waters in the Pacific Ocean. El Niño events usually occur every 3 to 7 years, and are characterized by shifts in "normal" weather patterns.

A warming of Pacific Ocean waters near the Equator that typically occurs every 3 to 7 years. Such an event dictates a shift in "normal" weather patterns.

An anomalous warming of ocean water off the west coast of South America, usually accompanied by heavy rainfall in the coastal region of Peru and Chile. This warming of Pacific Ocean waters near the Equator typically occurs every 3 to 7 years and dictates a shift in "normal" weather patterns.

Spanish for "the boy." The phase of ENSO that is associated with warmer than normal SSTs in the eastern equatorial Pacific and cooler than normal SSTs in the west. Tropical convection over the equatorial Pacific tends to be further east than the climatological average. It is opposite to La Nina.

an unusually warm current of water that appears periodically in the Pacific Ocean, along the equator

El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). A climate event that begins as a warming episode in the tropical Pacific zone that can result in large scale intrusions of anomalously warm marine water northward along the PNW coastline.

El Niño is a disruption of the ocean-atmosphere system in the tropical Pacific and have important consequences for weather around the globe.

an oceanographic event in the Pacific Ocean in which warmer than normal water occurs throughout much of the eastern Pacific Ocean primarily north of the equator. An El Niño generally lasts many months and causes major shifts in fish populations and plankton.

A southerly flowing warm current that generally develops off the coast of Ecuador shortly after Christmas. Associated with drought conditions in Australia.

A warming of the surface waters of the eastern equatorial Pacific that occurs at irregular intervals of 2-7 years, usually lasting 1-2 years. Along the west coast of South America, southerly winds promote the upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water that sustains large fish populations, which in turn sustains abundant sea birds, whose droppings support the fertilizer industry. Near the end of each calendar year, a warm current of nutrient-poor tropical water replaces the cold, nutrient-rich surface water. In most years the warming lasts only a few weeks or a month, after which the weather patterns return to normal and fishing improves. However, when El Niño conditions last for many months, more extensive ocean warming occurs and economic results can be disastrous. El Niño has been linked to wetter, colder winters in the United States; drier, hotter summers in South America and Europe; and drought in Africa. Because this condition often occurs around Christmas, it was named El Niño (Spanish for boy child, referring to the Christ child). ()

A warm inshore current annually flowing south along the coast of Ecuador around the end of December and extending about every 7 to 10 years down the coast of Peru

The cyclical warming of East Pacific Ocean sea water temperatures off the western coast of South America that can result in significant changes in weather patterns in the United States and elsewhere. This occurs when warm equatorial waters move in and displace the colder waters of the Humbolt Current, cutting off the upwelling process. Related terms: La Nina

A southward-flowing nutrient poor current of warm water off the coast of western S. America, caused by a breakdown of trade wind circulation. Usually results in above average rainfall.

Weather EPIRB Abbreviations