La Niña and severe weather around the world
Monday 17, January 2011
In some parts of the world severe flooding is occurring, as very heavy rain and landslides affect regions of Australia, Brazil and much of Sri Lanka.
Some speculation has surrounded the meteorological reasons for the severe weather, these include a near record La Niña event with colder than normal ocean waters in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
For the Australian state of Queensland, there is strong evidence to suggest that La Niña is the main reason for the ongoing widespread flooding. The current floods are also the worst since 1974 - which coincided with the strongest La Niña on record.
Further afield, the links with rainfall patterns and La Niña become more uncertain. In Sri Lanka, historical records show that there is no clear link between La Niña and heavy rain. However, the current La Niña extends further west than usual and this is associated with a westward shift in rainfall patterns in the region. Sri Lanka is on the very western edge of this rain.
Meanwhile, the flooding and landslides in southern parts of Brazil are thought not to be directly associated with La Niña. These extreme conditions can be put down to the variable nature of our global weather patterns.
Dr. Adam Scaife, Senior Climate Scientist at the Met Office, explains some of the science behind La Niña and its impacts on the current severe weather around the globe.
Interview with Dr. Adam Scaife
What is La Niña?
La Niña is part of a natural climate oscillation in the tropical Pacific. It oscillates between the warm El Niño phase, El Niño is Spanish for ‘the boy’, and the cold La Niña phase. So La Niña is like the cold little sister phase of this oscillation and it’s a purely natural event, occurs every few years as part of this natural oscillation.
Is the flooding in Australia linked to La Niña?
So during La Niña the rainfall that normally falls out over the Pacific shifts west over Indonesia and indeed northern and eastern parts of Australia. So the fact that there’s been lots of flooding in Queensland recently is very consistent with the occurrence of near record La Niña this year.
Is the flooding in Sri Lanka and Brazil linked to La Niña?
So La Niña affects weather patterns throughout the globe but of course the further away you are from the La Niña the more difficult it is to pinpoint the affects, it’s a bit like waving a long stick, the uncertainty grows the further away you are from the source. And so when we look at remoter regions, like Brazil or Sri Lanka, it’s more difficult to attribute the recent flooding events to La Niña. If we take the Brazil case, then when we look in historical records and in our climate models, then southern parts of Brazil are actually dry during La Niña so it would be difficult to attribute the recent flooding near Rio to the La Niña that is going on at the moment. If you go to Sri Lanka that is a little bit more complicated, a little bit less clear because it’s right on the edge of the wet influence from La Niña, but again historically it looks like La Niña tends to drive drier conditions in Sri Lanka so the previous biggest event, or the biggest on record in fact in 1974, Sri Lanka was actually dry.
Is La Niña linked to climate change?
La Niña, El Nino cycles have been going on for a very long time, they’re natural cycles, they’re part of a natural oscillation in the Pacific and indeed when we run our climate models into the future with increasing levels of greenhouse gases then there are no consistent changes in the El Niño, La Niña cycle.
Latest news
Tourism
Business travelers want latest technology and best gadgets
Auckland Zoo named one of NZ elite tourist attractions
Caribbean and Mediterranean losing beach tourism market to Southeast Asia
Aviation
Boeing: China will lead the Asia Pacific region in new airplane deliveries
British Airways begins installing new seats in Euro Traveller cabin
American Airlines drops free meals on short haul flights
Hospitality
First capsule hostel to open in Antwerp, Belgium
Marriott named to World's Most Innovative Companies List
Marriott Hotels debuts - healthy vending machine
Find the best deals available today
The grey menu on the right is your best friend. Always check before you travel.
Plan your trips with the help of great resources
More and more travellers think that researching and planning a European city break is half the fun and they're not interested in pre-arranged trips or escorted tours. Self-guided tours offer a lot of advantages but require some guidance and good resources.
Clean, green and very pristine
Top 10 most environmentally pure countries
With the recent wild fires, disrupting flights and increasing air pollution, environmental quality is a growing factor in attracting tourists.
Rooftop
Top 15 most spectacular hotel rooftop views
The hotel price comparison site www.trivago.co.uk has put together a list of the fifteen most spectacular hotel rooftop terraces in the world.
Pro city guides
Places by themes
Latest offers, discounts and more...
Accor “3=2 offerâ€Why not extend your stay? 3 nights for the price of 2.
Columbus Direct travel insuranceQuality cover at low prices to customers all around the world.
Priority passAccess VIP lounges no matter where which airline and class you fly.
European City CardsSee more and pay less! Get your "passport" to European cities.
Rail EuropeComfortable and affordable on European trains.
Lonely Planet MagazinePacked with insider knowledge, hints and tips.
Sandemans New Europe City ToursFree walking tours in 13 cities within 9 countries.
Sol Melia WednesdaysSearch your exclusive special offers now for the coming weekend!
TransfersLow-cost shuttle and private transfers in over 70 countries.
IMEX Frankfurt 25-27 MayThe essential worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events.
