Final answer:
El Niño brings wetter conditions and higher ocean temperatures to southern California, affecting weather and marine ecosystems. Economic impacts are significant for industries like agriculture and fishing. Climate models suggest increased frequency of El Niño events due to greenhouse warming.
Step-by-step explanation:
Effects of El Niño on Southern California Weather and Ocean Temperatures
El Niño's effect on southern California weather typically involves wetter conditions due to the warm ocean currents that push moisture-laden air towards the region. These conditions may lead to increased rainfall, which can sometimes result in flooding. Conversely, during an El Niño event, ocean temperatures off the southern California coast tend to be higher than average, which can impact marine life and ecosystems dependent on cooler water conditions.
The economic implications of El Niño are notable, especially for industries reliant on predictable weather patterns like farming and fishing. For instance, changes in ocean temperature can affect the food supply for fish, altering fish populations and affecting the fishing industry. Additionally, extreme weather patterns can lead to crop failures on land, causing economic disturbances in the agricultural sector.
Further research, such as the 1999 Timmermann et al. study, indicates that the frequency of El Niño events could increase due to future greenhouse warming, posing more frequent challenges to regions sensitive to these climate anomalies. California's climate has already shown significant changes, with an increase in temperature over the last century, indicative of broader climate change influences.