EL NIÑO'S POWERFUL REACH   What is
El Niño?
Clues From
the Past
Long Distance
Connections
Winners &
Losers
El Niño
Lowdown

Left 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Earth's Linked Climate Right

El Niño and La Ni�a impact weather in different parts of the world and at different times. These worldwide effects, called "teleconnections," occur because Earth's climate is a linked system: a push and pull affair between ocean and atmosphere.

Typical weather changes in the United States during an El Niño
Typical weather changes in the United States during a La Niña
Typical weather changes in the United States during an El Niño (top) and during a La Ni�a (bottom).