Final answer:
La Niña is the cooler phase of the ENSO characterized by cooler than average sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific, which can lead to significant global weather pattern changes and potential extreme weather events.
Step-by-step explanation:
La Niña is the cool phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), characterized by cooler than average sea surface temperatures (SST) in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, particularly in the eastern Pacific
This cooling is often associated with high air pressure in the eastern Pacific and low air pressure in the western Pacific, and it emerges as part of a larger oscillation in ocean temperatures and atmospheric pressure that also includes the warm phase known as El Niño.
Effects of La Niña on Climate
The ENSO cycle, which includes both El Niño and La Niña, can have significant effects on global weather patterns, causing deviations in temperatures and rainfall.
During a La Niña event, regions may experience altered weather patterns, which can lead to extreme weather events like colder winters, increased rainfall leading to flooding, or drought conditions depending on the location.
These weather disruptions can have far-reaching impacts on the environment and human activities.
For example, they can result in agricultural challenges due to drought or excessive rain, affect water resources, disrupt marine ecosystems, and pose threats to economies dependent on farming and fishing.