The natural phenomenon La Niña influences global weather conditions by causing a decrease in sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific. It alters climatic patterns worldwide, affecting precipitation, air temperature, hurricanes, and even agriculture. A new phase of La Niña is observed from 2024 to 2025, which scientists predict will last until March-April before transitioning to a neutral state. In this article, we explore what La Niña is, why it occurs, and what implications it may have for humanity.
What is La Niña?
La Niña is a phase of the ENSO climate phenomenon (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) characterized by a drop in surface water temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. This leads to global changes in atmospheric circulation, impacting the climate in many regions around the globe.
Unlike El Niño, during which the ocean releases heat into the atmosphere, La Niña causes heat to sink into the depths of the ocean, resulting in local cooling of water and large-scale climate changes.
Why Does La Niña Occur?
La Niña arises from a complex interaction between the atmosphere and ocean, including:
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Strengthening of trade winds – the eastern winds become stronger, leading to a displacement of warm water away from the South American coast.
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Upwelling of cold deep waters – as warm water is replaced by colder masses from the depths of the ocean, a general temperature decrease is observed.
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Changes in atmospheric pressure – differences in pressure between the eastern and western Pacific intensify the cooling effect.
La Niña typically lasts from several months to two years before transitioning to a neutral phase or El Niño, the opposing phenomenon associated with warming surface waters.
How Does La Niña Affect Climate?
The consequences of La Niña are felt worldwide, although the impact varies across regions:
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Asia – monsoon rains increase, and the risk of flooding grows in India, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
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Australia – intense rains and cyclones increase, raising the risk of destructive storms.
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North America – in the western USA, droughts intensify, while the eastern states experience abnormal cold and snowfall.
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South America – countries like Brazil and Peru face increased risks of landslides and catastrophic flooding.
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Africa – eastern parts of the continent see a decline in rainfall, which may lead to droughts and food shortages.
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Europe – the impact of La Niña is less pronounced, but it can sometimes cause abnormal temperature fluctuations and precipitation.
When Were Previous La Niña Events and What Were Their Outcomes?
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2020–2022 – resulted in severe hurricanes in the USA and droughts in South America.
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2010–2012 – led to abnormal cold in Europe and snowfalls in the USA.
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1998–2000 – triggered severe hurricanes in Australia and droughts in China.
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1988–1989 – caused massive flooding in South America and India.
Each La Niña cycle is unique, but all lead to global climate changes.
How Long Will La Niña 2024–2025 Last?
According to the Russian Meteorological Center, the current La Niña will last until March-April 2025, after which sea temperatures in the Pacific are expected to return to normal. However, scientists do not rule out the possibility of a new El Niño cycle emerging at the end of 2025.
Is This Phenomenon Dangerous?
La Niña itself is not a disaster, but its consequences can be devastating:
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Intensification of hurricanes and cyclones.
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Increasing frequency of floods and droughts.
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Abnormal cold and abrupt temperature changes.
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Disruptions in agriculture, which may affect food markets.
Residents of regions prone to the severe impacts of La Niña (Southeast Asia, South America, the USA) should pay attention to weather forecasts and potential natural disasters.
Conclusion
La Niña is an important climatic phenomenon that affects the entire planet. In 2024–2025, its consequences are already being felt in weather patterns, hurricanes, and rainfall, and scientists predict it will transition to a neutral phase by spring. However, the likelihood of El Niño returning at the end of 2025 remains high, making climate monitoring especially crucial.
Understanding the nature of La Niña helps better predict extreme weather conditions and prepare for their potential consequences.
