El Niño is back after 7 years: What to expect in Latinamerica

El Niño is back. This atmospheric phenomenon is a significant event that occurs in the tropical Pacific Ocean every 2 to 7 years and has far-reaching implications for weather patterns around the globe. It is characterized by a warming of the surface waters in the Pacific, which can lead to alterations in rainfall and wind patterns.

This phenomenon has attracted considerable attention due to its potential impact on various regions, including Latin America. In particular, the effects of El Niño can be profound, causing intense rains, an increase in river levels and flooding, road blockades, shortages of supplies, and a rise in cases of diseases such as dengue due to accumulated rainwater.

According to experts, the current El Niño phenomenon began in Peru in March 2023 and is still developing, with its peak expected to occur towards the end of the year. The consequences of this event are likely to be significant, with intense rainfall being a key concern.

The Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental Studies (Ideam) indicates that the effects of El Niño are typically more noticeable in the northern Pacific, Andean, and Caribbean regions. These areas are likely to experience climate-related disruptions, including droughts, low atmospheric pressure, and an increased risk of forest fires.

Esto ya estaba pronosticado. Ante la llegada del fenómeno El Niño, la zona norte de Manabí es la más afectada. Flavio Alfaro, al igual que en Chone hace unos días, anoche sufrió la primera gran lluvia por el temporal. A tomar recaudos, y quienes podamos ayudar, ahora es momento pic.twitter.com/6hWXsDsQBL

— Andrés Martínez Álava (@amartinezecu) June 9, 2023

The severity of the current El Niño phenomenon has prompted organizations and countries to prepare for its potential impact. The NOAA (National Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) in the United States has confirmed that El Niño is already affecting the planet.

The experts from NOAA warn that this climatic event in the Pacific Ocean will contribute to global temperature increases, further exacerbating the ongoing trend of climate change. They argue that this event could push the world beyond the critical 1.5°C warming milestone, with next year potentially becoming the hottest on record.

The last notable El Niño event occurred in 2016, and its impacts were felt around the world. It contributed to record-high temperatures, deforestation, coral bleaching, forest fires, and polar ice melting. Similarly, the current El Niño event, which is expected to persist until spring 2024, is likely to be associated with extreme weather events.

Its effects can manifest differently in different regions. For example, typically rainy areas like the north of Australia may experience droughts and fires, while dry regions such as the west coast of South America may see heavy rainfall.

IMPORTANTE: La actual #OlaDeCalor es típica bajo la presencia del fenómeno de #ElNiño, pero su intensidad es mayor a lo normal.

“Todavía no hay pruebas concluyentes de los efectos del cambio climático sobre la frecuencia, intensidad e influencia de los episodios de El Niño y La… pic.twitter.com/wCnL8EDQHN

— ❇️⛈️Meteorología México ️ (@InfoMeteoro) June 14, 2023

In Latin America, El Niño’s impact can be significant and varied. The increased risk of hurricanes is a concern for the west coast of Mexico and Hawaii, while the Caribbean region faces the possibility of droughts during the boreal summer. Countries like Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico may be particularly affected. Central America, from Panama to Honduras, can also experience drought conditions. Furthermore, El Niño can lead to heat waves in the Amazon region.

The potential consequences of El Niño for Latin America are significant due to the region’s vulnerability to climate-related events. The impacts on agriculture, water availability, and public health can be severe. The increased rainfall can lead to flooding, landslides, and disruptions in transportation and infrastructure. These events can result in road blockades and limit access to essential supplies, exacerbating social and economic challenges.

Moreover, the rise in dengue cases due to accumulated rainwater poses a health risk for the affected populations. Stagnant water provides the perfect breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes, leading to an increase in mosquito-borne illnesses. This underscores the importance of implementing effective public health measures and plans to mitigate the impact of El Niño.

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