El Niño

Changes in wind direction
Associated with locations of
Cyclones
Anticyclones
Often bring changes in
Temperature
Moisture conditions

El Niño
A countercurrent that flows southward along the coasts of Ecuador and Peru
Warm
Usually appears during the Christmas season
Blocks upwelling of colder, nutrient-filled water, and anchovies starve from lack of food
Strongest El Niño events on record occurred between 1982–83 and 1997–98

1997–98 event caused
Heavy rains in Ecuador and Peru
Ferocious storms in California

Related to large-scale atmospheric circulation
Southern Oscillation -- Pressure changed between the eastern and western Pacific
Changes in trade winds creates a major change in the equatorial current system, with warm water flowing eastward