Is It a Super El Niño Year? It Could Turn the World’s Weather Upside Down

Why in news

NOAA declared the start of a potentially record-breaking El Niño, which is expected to significantly influence global weather patterns and exacerbate global warming.

Background

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officially declared the onset of El Niño, characterized by warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the eastern tropical Pacific. This specific event is projected to be among the strongest on record, posing risks of severe drought in Indonesia and the Sahel region.

Facts for Prelims

• S&TEl Niño: A climate pattern involving the warming of surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
• FactNOAA: The primary US agency responsible for monitoring and reporting on climate phenomena like El Niño.
• EnvironmentSahel Region: A transition zone in Africa prone to severe drought during strong El Niño years.
• S&TPositive Feedback Loop: Strong El Niño events can lead to a significant spike in global mean temperatures.

For Mains

Q. Analyze how extreme climate phenomena like El Niño exacerbate the vulnerabilities of agrarian economies in the Global South and suggest mitigation strategies.

Dimensions to cover in your answer

• Hydrological stress: Increased frequency of prolonged droughts in the Sahel and Southeast Asia affecting food security.
• Thermal feedback: Accelerated melting of polar ice due to temporary spikes in global mean surface temperatures.
• Economic volatility: Disruption of global supply chains and agricultural yields due to unpredictable extreme weather events.

Keywords: Climate Variability · Anthropogenic Warming · Hydrological Stress · Global Temperature Anomalies · Climate Resilience

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