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Warmer Water |
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| An El Niņo occurs when the atmosphere and ocean waters interact to form warmer than normal water in the eastern and central Pacific Ocean. Sometimes an El Niņo is followed by a La Niņa whose effects on weather patterns are generally opposite to those caused by an El Niņo. |
(Top) Normal sea surface temperatures. (Middle) Sea surface temperatures during an El Niņo. Notice the red areas to the west of South America. (Bottom) Sea surface temperatures during a La Niņa. Notice the blue areas to the west of South America. |
