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El Nino/Southern Oscillation


El Nino/Southern Oscillation
SectionSectionSection
Description Impacts Outlook

Description

Collapse or Relaxation of Normal Persistent East-to-West Equatorial Tradewinds in Pacific
Migration Westward of Large Atmospheric High Pressure Cell Over South Pacific From Tahiti to Australia
El Nino causes
*Map produced by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

Large Mass of Water Migrates Eastward Across Pacific Ocean from Formation Area Around Indonesian & Philippine Archipelagoes

1997 Event
"El Nino" Half of the Equation of El Nino/Southern Oscillation

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Global Impacts of El Nino/Southern Oscillation

Intense droughts in Australa, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Brazil, parts Africa, the Western Pacific Basin Islands, Central America
Milder winters in the Northeast
Wet over the south from Florida to Texas
Alaska and NW regions of Canada and US can be abnormally warm
Hurricane activity minimal in Atlantic Ocean Rain and flooding to California, Oregon and Washington

Results of El Nino

Impacts to South Carolina

When Large Mass of Hot Water Came to Americas Atmosphere Reacted by Trying to Move Heat Out in 2 ways Indirect Product of Two Changes in the Atmosphere
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Impacts and Outlook for South Carolina

During an El Nino Event, South Carolina can expect the following:

Summer Rapidly Disappearing From Memories & Thermometer
Another Part of El Nino Process Starting Up
Start as Moist, Warm, Tropical Jetstream

SC Can Expect Between 120 - 135% Normal Precipitation within 6 - 10 months of the onset of a typical El Nino event
Reserch on Historical Records Show 2 Worrisome Trends
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Columbia, SC 29202

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