El Niño

Definitions

An invasion of warm water into the surface of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Peru and Ecuador, the positive phase of the multi-year ENSO cycle, which causes changes in local and regional climate.

Equivalents

Examples

“Additionally, scientists aren’t expecting to be surprised again by El Niño, a warming of the Pacific Ocean that tends to dampen Atlantic hurricane activity.”

“The odd weather phenomenon that many blame⟳ for the suffering here — the drought and sudden storm pattern known as El Niño — is expected to become⟳ more frequent as the planet warms.”

“In part, that’s because the planet is entering a natural climate phenomenon known as El Niño, which typically brings warmer oceans. But now, El Niño is coming on top of long-term warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions.”

“El Niño is also partially responsible for the ongoing catastrophic rainfall in east Africa, which began in March⟳ and has caused devastating flooding in Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia, Rwanda and Burundi.”

CEFR level