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Source-This post on Oceanic Niño Index has been created based on the article ” Two reasons why food inflation may soften in the months ahead” published in “The Indian Express” on 9 April 2024.
Why in the news?
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted that there is a 83% chance that the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) will move into a neutral range by April-June 2024. It is predicted that El Nino event will not take place due to ONI moving into neutral range.
About Oceanic Niño Index (ONI)
![Oceanic Niño Index](https://i0.wp.com/forumias.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Oceanic-Nino-Index-ONI-with-El-Nino-and-La-Nina-strength-years-through-the-period_Q320.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
1) ENSO is measured by two indices- Oceanic Niño Index and Southern Oscillation Index- Oceanic Nino Index (ONI) is the primary indicator for monitoring the ocean part of El Niño-Southern Oscillation, or “ENSO”. Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) is the primary indicator for monitoring the atmospheric part of ENSO.
2) The ONI tracks the running 3-month average sea surface temperatures in the east-central tropical Pacific between 120°-170°W, near the International Dateline. It also determines whether they are warmer or cooler than average.
3) ONI values are used to predict El Niño and La Niña-
ONI Value | Meaning | Event Predicted |
+0.5 or higher | Surface waters in the east-central tropical Pacific are 0.5 degrees Celsius or more warmer than average. | El Niño |
-0.5 or lower | Surface waters in the east-central tropical Pacific are 0.5 degrees Celsius or less cooler than average. | La Niña |
What are El Nino and La Nina?
Description-El Nino and La Nina are two opposing climate trends that deviate from the normal conditions and normally run 9 to 12 months. El Nino is known as the warm phase and La Nina is known as the cold phase of ENSO.
Frequency– These events occur every 2 to 7 years on average. El Niño is more frequent than La Nina. They are together referred to as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle by scientists.
Impacts– Both El Nino and La Nina have global effects on weather, wildfires, ecosystems and economics.
Read more- El Nino: Concept and impacts
UPSC Syllabus-Geography in news