Is Australia in El Niño or La Niña?

El Ninos and La Ninas are actually quite common. They occur in a cycle that ranges from two to eight years. Australia has experienced 18 La Nina events since 1900 and 12 have coincided with flooding in eastern states.

Are we in El Niño or La Niña 2021 Australia?

The Bureau of Meteorology declared that a La Niña is underway on November 23, 2021. Australia’s weather is influenced by a number of “climate drivers”, including the El Niño Southern Oscillation, Indian Ocean Dipole, Southern Annular Mode and Madden-Julian Oscillation.

When was Australia last El Niño?

During World War II, eastern Australia suffered El Niño conditions which lasted from 1937 through to 1947 with little relief, despite a few weak and relatively dry La Niña years in between (1938–39 and 1942–43).

Where does ENSO affect the most?

The greatest impacts are usually felt over inland eastern Australia, while effects for regions such as southwest Western Australia and coastal New South Wales can vary from event to event, and in western Tasmania the effects are generally weak.

What is the latest information on ENSO?

The Climate Driver Update provides the latest information on the state of ENSO and the likely effect this will have on Australia. Sustained negative values (bottom/yellow) of the SOI below −7 may indicate El Niño, while sustained positive values above +7 may indicate La Niña. La Niña and El Niño events since 1900 are indicated on the graph.

How does the ENSO affect Australia’s climate?

Each phase of the ENSO has a very different effect on the Australian climate. Events generally have an autumn to autumn pattern of evolution and decay. That is, they typically begin to develop during autumn, strengthen in winter/spring, then decay during summer and autumn of the following year.

What is El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)?

El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the term used to describe the oscillation between the El Niño phase and the La Niña, or opposite, phase. In the eastern Pacific, the northward flowing Humbolt current brings cooler water from the Southern Ocean to the tropics.

Why has the ENSO outlook been moved to La Niña?

The ENSO Outlook has been moved to LA NIÑA. Key atmospheric and oceanic indicators of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) show an established La Niña. Tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are close to La Niña thresholds, with models indicating further cooling is likely.