About our La Niña News
Latest news on La Niña, providing comprehensive coverage of the Pacific Ocean cooling phase, its impact on global weather patterns, and the latest forecasts from the World Meteorological Organization.
La Niña is a complex weather phenomenon characterised by cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. As part of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, La Niña events significantly influence global weather patterns, often leading to increased rainfall in some regions and droughts in others.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recently reported a 70% chance of La Niña occurring between August and November 2024, following the end of the current El Niño event. This rapid transition from one extreme to the other in the tropical Pacific could lead to more parts of the world being affected by severe weather events, such as hurricanes, flooding, and droughts.
La Niña events have far-reaching consequences for communities worldwide, affecting agriculture, water resources, and public safety. The phenomenon is typically associated with increased hurricane activity in the Atlantic Ocean, flooding in Canada and western North America, and drought conditions in parts of South America. By staying informed about La Niña developments, communities can better prepare for and respond to potential weather-related challenges.
While La Niña can cause temporary dips in global average temperatures, it does not indicate a pause in long-term climate change. The WMO emphasised that the past nine years have been the warmest on record, despite a rare "triple-dip" La Niña event between 2020 and early 2023. As greenhouse gas emissions continue to trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, the planet will continue to warm, regardless of short-term fluctuations caused by La Niña.
Our NewsNow feed on La Niña provides up-to-date information on this crucial climate phenomenon, drawing from reliable sources such as the World Meteorological Organization and national weather agencies. By staying informed about La Niña developments, readers can better understand the complex interplay between ocean temperatures, global weather patterns, and the ongoing challenges posed by climate change.