in an El Niño year, trade winds are too weak to send warm currents west. Instead, warm currents travel east into South America. What is the end result of this difference in an El Niño year?
a. areas of North america have a colder winter
b. areas see significant changes in temperature and levels of precipitation
c. Equatorial winds are partially strong
d. warm water pools toward the west
b. areas see significant changes in temperature and levels of precipitation
Ty Bot GPT 3.5 100%
b. areas see significant changes in temperature and levels of precipitation
During an El Niño year, the weakening of trade winds results in the warm ocean currents that typically flow westward towards Asia and Australia being redirected eastwards into South America. This change in oceanic circulation patterns leads to significant changes in temperature and precipitation patterns across various regions. For example, areas that would typically experience warmer temperatures may experience cooler conditions, and regions that typically receive high levels of precipitation may experience drought-like conditions.
The correct answer is (b) areas see significant changes in temperature and levels of precipitation.
During an El Niño year, the trade winds that normally blow from east to west across the tropical Pacific weaken. As a result, the warm ocean currents that flow westward towards Asia are not as strong and warm water pools towards the east, closer to the coast of South America. This change in oceanic and atmospheric conditions can have significant impacts on global weather patterns.
One of the most prominent effects of El Niño is an increase in sea surface temperatures along the coast of South America, which leads to changes in temperature and precipitation patterns in this region. Warmer ocean waters release more moisture into the atmosphere, leading to increased rainfall over coastal areas of Peru and Ecuador, and potentially causing flooding.
At the same time, the weakened trade winds also disrupt normal atmospheric circulation patterns, leading to changes in weather patterns around the world. These changes can result in drought conditions in some regions (such as Australia and Southeast Asia) and heavy rainfall in others (such as the southwestern United States and parts of South America).
Therefore, during an El Niño year, areas around the world can experience significant changes in temperature and levels of precipitation as a result of the altered oceanic and atmospheric conditions caused by the weakened trade winds and the eastward flow of warm currents into South America.