[et_pb_section fb_built=\u00a0\u00bb1″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb custom_padding=\u00a0\u00bb2px|||||\u00a0\u00bb da_disable_devices=\u00a0\u00bboff|off|off\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb da_is_popup=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb da_exit_intent=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb da_has_close=\u00a0\u00bbon\u00a0\u00bb da_alt_close=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb da_dark_close=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb da_not_modal=\u00a0\u00bbon\u00a0\u00bb da_is_singular=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb da_with_loader=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb da_has_shadow=\u00a0\u00bbon\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb min_height=\u00a0\u00bb530px\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb background_color=\u00a0\u00bb#244e52″ global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_image src=\u00a0\u00bbhttps:\/\/caribbean-risks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/el-nino.jpg\u00a0\u00bb title_text=\u00a0\u00bbel nino\u00a0\u00bb align=\u00a0\u00bbcenter\u00a0\u00bb admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbImage\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bb_initial\u00a0\u00bb background_color=\u00a0\u00bb#FFFFFF\u00a0\u00bb min_height=\u00a0\u00bb675.6px\u00a0\u00bb custom_margin=\u00a0\u00bb||-5px|||\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb background_color=\u00a0\u00bb#FFFFFF\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]<\/p>\n
\u00a9 M\u00e9t\u00e9o-France, Fran\u00e7ois Poulain.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb background_enable_image=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb background_size=\u00a0\u00bbcontain\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]<\/p>\n Article adapted from: M\u00e9t\u00e9o-France (09\/06\/2023) \u2013 <\/span>El Ni\u00f1o et La Ni\u00f1a<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n The global climate is influenced by the El Ni\u00f1o and La Ni\u00f1a phenomena. These climate patterns, driven by ocean temperature anomalies, also affect hurricane activity in the Caribbean.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb border_width_bottom=\u00a0\u00bb0px\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb min_height=\u00a0\u00bb530px\u00a0\u00bb custom_margin=\u00a0\u00bb-15px|auto||auto||\u00a0\u00bb custom_padding=\u00a0\u00bb19px|||||\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb min_height=\u00a0\u00bb171.6px\u00a0\u00bb custom_margin=\u00a0\u00bb||4px|||\u00a0\u00bb custom_padding=\u00a0\u00bb||1px|||\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]<\/p>\n Weather around the world is not determined solely by local conditions. Large-scale phenomena, particularly changes in sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, directly influence the Caribbean climate by altering atmospheric circulation and rainfall patterns across the globe. These phenomena are known as <\/span>El Ni\u00f1o<\/span><\/strong> and <\/span>La Ni\u00f1a<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/b><\/p>\n During an El Ni\u00f1o event, the trade winds along the coast of Peru weaken, preventing warm surface waters from being pushed westward across the Pacific. As a result, warm water accumulates in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean.<\/span><\/p>\n This warming alters large-scale atmospheric circulation and increases upper-level winds over the Atlantic. El Ni\u00f1o events occur irregularly, every two to seven years<\/strong>. They generally begin during the Northern Hemisphere spring or summer (between April and August) and last between six and eighteen months. Their intensity usually peaks between November and January. <\/span>Weather disruptions begin as El Ni\u00f1o develops and intensifies. The consequences for agriculture, water resources, and ecosystems may become apparent several months later, sometimes even during the following year.<\/span><\/p>\n Not all El Ni\u00f1o events have the same intensity.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n During a La Ni\u00f1a event, weather conditions become more pronounced. The trade winds are stronger than usual and push even more warm water toward the western Pacific. As a result, the eastern Pacific becomes cooler.<\/span><\/p>\n This pattern creates a more stable atmosphere over the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean, with fewer disturbances at high altitude. La Ni\u00f1a generally develops between the Northern Hemisphere spring and autumn, reaches its peak between the end of the year and the beginning of the following year, and gradually weakens during the following spring.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb background_color=\u00a0\u00bb#d6d6d6″ min_height=\u00a0\u00bb51.6px\u00a0\u00bb border_width_left=\u00a0\u00bb3px\u00a0\u00bb border_color_left=\u00a0\u00bb#8F8F8F\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]<\/p>\n The name <\/span>El Ni\u00f1o<\/span><\/strong> was originally given by Peruvian fishermen to the periodic arrival of unusually warm waters along the coasts of Peru and Ecuador around Christmas, hence the name <\/span>El Ni\u00f1o<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u00ab\u00a0the Christ Child\u00a0\u00bb in Spanish.<\/span><\/p>\n La Ni\u00f1a<\/span><\/strong> is the scientific term used to describe the opposite phenomenon.<\/span><\/p>\n Together, El Ni\u00f1o and La Ni\u00f1a are part of the <\/span>ENSO (El Ni\u00f1o\u2013Southern Oscillation)<\/span><\/strong> system, which describes the interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere in the tropical Pacific.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb min_height=\u00a0\u00bb56px\u00a0\u00bb custom_margin=\u00a0\u00bb||-1px|||\u00a0\u00bb border_width_bottom=\u00a0\u00bb0px\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]<\/p>\n <\/b><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb custom_margin=\u00a0\u00bb||0px|||\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]<\/p>\n Hurricanes<\/a> are low-pressure systems that develop over the warm waters of the tropical regions. For a hurricane to form, ocean temperatures must remain warm through approximately the upper 60 metres of the water column.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n El Ni\u00f1o makes hurricane development more difficult because stronger upper-level winds disrupt the storm’s structure through increased wind shear.<\/span><\/p>\n Conversely, during La Ni\u00f1a events, upper-level winds are generally weaker, creating more favourable atmospheric conditions for tropical systems to develop and intensify.<\/span><\/p>\n As a result:<\/span><\/p>\n However, El Ni\u00f1o and La Ni\u00f1a mainly influence the overall probability of hurricane formation. Even during an El Ni\u00f1o year, hurricane risk is not eliminated : a single hurricane can still cause devastating damage<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb background_color=\u00a0\u00bb#D6D6D6″ min_height=\u00a0\u00bb37.6px\u00a0\u00bb border_width_left=\u00a0\u00bb3px\u00a0\u00bb border_color_left=\u00a0\u00bb#8F8F8F\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]<\/p>\n On average, El Ni\u00f1o seasons produce around <\/span>10 named storms and 5 hurricanes<\/span><\/strong>, compared with approximately <\/span>15 named storms and 8 hurricanes<\/span><\/strong> during La Ni\u00f1a seasons. Nevertheless, the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season demonstrated that El Ni\u00f1o does not eliminate the risk, with <\/span>20 named storms<\/span><\/strong> recorded that year.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb background_color=\u00a0\u00bbRGBA(255,255,255,0)\u00a0\u00bb custom_margin=\u00a0\u00bb||4px|||\u00a0\u00bb border_color_left=\u00a0\u00bb#8F8F8F\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]<\/p>\n During La Ni\u00f1a<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Find out how to protect yourself in the event of a flood<\/a>.<\/p>\nEl Ni\u00f1o et La Ni\u00f1a<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0: understanding their effects and impacts on the Caribbean<\/b><\/span><\/h1>\n
El Ni\u00f1o and La Ni\u00f1a : large-scale oceanic phenomena<\/b><\/h2>\n
A Global Influence<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n
El Ni\u00f1o – the Pacific Ocean warms<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n
La Ni\u00f1a – the Pacific Ocean cools<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n
El Ni\u00f1o and La Ni\u00f1a influence hurricane activity and rainfall in the Caribbean<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Effects on rainfall across the Caribbean<\/b><\/h4>\n
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During El Ni\u00f1o<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n
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