Question

In response to changes in the air pressure pattern across the tropical Pacific, the trade winds weaken (and wind directions can reverse, especially in the western Pacific as shown by the bold dark arrows). No longer being pushed toward and piled up in the western Pacific, the warm surface water reverses flow direction. As shown by the surface currents arrows, the surface water during El Niño flows toward the east. As evident in the appropriate sea surface temperature shading, this causes SST in the eastern tropical Pacific to be ________ than during neutral conditions.

a) Higher
b) Lower
c) Unchanged
d) Variable

Answer 1

During an El Niño event, the sea surface temperature in the eastern tropical Pacific is higher than during neutral conditions due to the weakening of the trade winds and the eastward flow of warm surface water.

Step-by-step explanation:

In response to changes in the air pressure pattern across the tropical Pacific during an El Niño event, the sea surface temperature (SST) in the eastern tropical Pacific becomes higher than during neutral conditions. The weakening of the trade winds and the change in water flow direction allow for warmer water to move eastwards towards the coast of South America.

This results in an increase in SST, which can have significant impacts on global weather patterns, often leading to more extreme weather in various regions.