CLIMATE OF INDIA
EL NINO AND SOUTHERN OSCILLATIONS
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Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
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weakens or reverses; west
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intensifies; east
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weakens or reverses; east
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intensifies; east
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Detailed explanation-1: -During El Niño, when the trade winds are weak or even occasionally reverse themselves, the amount of cold water that comes to the surface is reduced. Warm waters in the west Pacific Ocean slosh to the east. Now there is a large area along the equator where ocean temperatures are above normal.
Detailed explanation-2: -During an El Niño water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean may rise on average 3-5 degrees above average. This happens as the water in seas around Indonesia, referred to as the Pacific Warm Pool are not forced westward due to weakened east to west trade winds.
Detailed explanation-3: -An El Niño condition occurs when surface water in the equatorial Pacific becomes warmer than average and east winds blow weaker than normal. The opposite condition is called La Niña. During this phase of ENSO, the water is cooler than normal and the east winds are stronger. El Niños typically occur every 3 to 5 years.