Weak El Nino conditions developing in the Pacific this winter: IMD

Weak El Nino conditions developing in the Pacific this winter: IMD

News

According to an India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast there is a strong possibility of weak El Nino conditions developing during the current winter season.

Important facts:

IMD Observations:

1. Equatorial sea surface temperatures across most the Pacific Ocean show an increasing trend. There is a mild El Nino -above 0.5 degree warming – in the western Pacific Ocean.
2. The IMD forecasts that the ongoing winter season would be slightly warmer than usual in most parts of India

Concerns over warm winter

Higher warmer weather conditions during winter months is a concern as it may adversely affect wheat crop which is the principal crop of the Rabi season

Additional Information:

What is El Nino?

1. The term El Niño refers to the large-scale ocean-atmosphere climate interaction associated to a periodic warming in sea surface temperatures across the central and east-central Equatorial Pacific.
2. El Nino during winter results in development of warm conditions in India. During summer, it leads to dry conditions and deficient monsoon