In this year we are seeing an extra strong El Nino.
El Nino is a weather event that occurs some years, where changes in the weather patterns in the pacific makes hot water move from Australia towards south america.
This changes the rainfall patterns in both Australia and in South America, and have suppresses upwellings as it makes the thermocline more rigid
El Niño occurs approximately every two to seven years, while a so-called Super El Niño is much rarer.
During a normal El Niño, sea temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific rise to at least 0.5 degrees above normal, whereas a Super El Niño requires sea temperatures to be more than 2 degrees above normal.
This natural climate phenomenon has been studied since 1950, and a Super El Niño has been recorded four times. The most intense event, in 2015–2016, saw sea temperatures reach 2.6 degrees above normal.
This year we are seeing even bigger increases in surface temperature of the ocean.
Right now, the latest forecasts indicate that El Niño will peak in November, with water temperatures 3.9 degrees warmer than normal. This is a level never seen before since reliable measurements began.
This will have huge effects on rainfall, droughts and fishing.
Droughts often affect parts of Australia, Southeast Asia, and Africa, reducing yields of maize, wheat, and rice.
Heavier rainfall can also destroy parts of the harvest—for instance, in South America—due to flooding.
Another indirect consequence,is that El Niño results in fewer tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean.
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