El Niño's lesser known little sister is called La Niña. While El Niño is characterized by warmer than average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, La Niña is characterized by cooler than average sea surface temperatures in the same region. These two climate phenomena are part of the larger El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, which has significant impacts on global weather patterns.

La Niña events typically occur less frequently than El Niño events, but they can have just as significant impacts on weather patterns around the world. During a La Niña event, there is an increased likelihood of above-average rainfall in the western Pacific and Southeast Asia, as well as below-average rainfall in parts of Australia and South America. In addition, La Niña events are often associated with an increased risk of hurricanes in the Atlantic and a decreased risk of hurricanes in the eastern Pacific.

Understanding the differences between El Niño and La Niña is important for meteorologists, climatologists, and policymakers, as these climate phenomena can have far-reaching impacts on agriculture, water resources, and natural disasters. By monitoring sea surface temperatures, atmospheric circulation patterns, and other indicators, scientists can predict the likelihood of an El Niño or La Niña event and take steps to mitigate their potential impacts.

For more information on La Niña and its effects on global weather patterns, visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) website at https://www.climate.gov/enso. You can also learn more about the El Niño-Southern Oscillation cycle and its impacts on climate by visiting the World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) website at https://public.wmo.int/en/our-mandate/climate/el-ni%C3%B1ola-ni%C3%B1a-and-enso.

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