Weather changes in and around the Tropical Pacific during an El Niño
| Under normal conditions the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean and western South America in the area of Peru are very dry with desert-like conditions and the western Pacific and northeast Australia have significant amounts of rain. However, during an El Niño the weather patterns shift. The changes are most significant during the period from December, January and February. During that time the mid- and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean has increased rainfall with torrential rains and flooding occurring in Peru. In the western tropical Pacific Ocean and in northern Australia the El Niño brings drought conditions. |
Credit: USGS/Bruce Richmond and Ann Gibbs
For more info: http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/elnino/