EL NIÑO–SOUTHERN OSCILLATION (ENSO)

Trade winds

Winds blowing east to west along the equator.

Upwelling

Cold, nutrient-rich water rising to the surface.

Sea surface temperature

Temperature of the ocean’s top layer.

Neutral ENSO phase

Normal trade winds, warm water in west, upwelling in east.

Effect of cold east Pacific water

Less rainfall.

Effect of warm water

More rainfall.

El Niño trade winds

Weaken.

El Niño effect on warm water

Moves eastward toward the Americas.

El Niño effect on Philippines

Less rain, hotter weather.

La Niña trade winds

Strengthen.

La Niña rainfall

More rain in western Pacific.

La Niña upwelling

Stronger upwelling.

ENSO definition

Recurring climate pattern in the tropical Pacific.

ENSO heat effect

Redistributes heat across the large Pacific Ocean.

Walker circulation

East–west tropical wind system that shifts in strength.