Scientists studying climate models say there’s a high chance this will be <a href="https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/super-el-nino-weather-trends/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">an El Niño year</a>—and that we could be in for a “super” El Niño. The difference is indicated by sea surface temperatures in part of the Pacific Ocean rising a little—or a lot—above their long-term average.
El Niño is one half of what climatologists call the ENSO, the El Niño-Southern Oscillation. The oscillation operates on a roughly 3-7 year cycle, changing the path of the jet stream and shifting weather conditions around the world. An El Niño year, for instance, typically brings wetter weather in the western U.S. but dryer conditions in the Pacific Northwest, and can be a drought buster for regions such as southern California.  But shifting ocean currents also have the potential to affect marine ecosystems, leading to algal booms, coral bleaching, and more.  
Climate scientist Dillon Amaya joins Host Ira Flatow to describe the role of the El Niño in shaping world weather, and what effects a particularly strong El Niño year might have on global ecosystems.
Guest: 
Dr. Dillon Amaya is a research scientist at the NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory in Boulder, Colorado.  
Other episodes you may enjoy:
<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/weather-prediction-book-climate-science?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri?" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Meet A Pioneer Of Modern Weather Prediction</a></li>
 <li><a href="https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/weather-predictions-in-advance-earth-system-predictions?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri?" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Could We Get Weather Forecasts Years—Or A Decade—In Advance?</a></li>
</ul>
Want SciFri gear? <a href="https://merch.ambientinks.com/collections/sciencefriday" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Check out our new shop!</a>
Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at <a href="https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/super-el-nino-weather-trends/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">sciencefriday.com</a><a href="https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/gynecologic-health-crisis-for-black-women-improving-uterine-health/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">.</a>
<a href="https://pod.link/73329284" target="_blank">Subscribe to this podcast.</a> Follow our show on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/scifri/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@scifri" target="_blank">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/scifri" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, and <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/scifri.bsky.social" target="_blank">Bluesky</a> @scifri and <a href="https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri" target="_blank">sign up for our newsletters</a>. Got a science question that’s keeping you up at night? Call us: <a href="tel:+18774724374">877-4-SCIFRI</a> Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Podurama

Home

Trending

Personal

Your Podcasts

New Episodes

My Files

Favourite Episodes

Tags (Folders)

Recently Played

Bookmarks

Followed Playlists

How El Niño shapes the world’s weather trends

Science Friday

AI Chapters

AI Insights

Reviews