Join our crew and become one of the 104,746 members that receive our newsletter.

la nina 2021

Cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures along the equator is indicative of La Nina in the tropical Pacific Ocean in September 2021. (NOAA Climate.gov)

Double-Dip La Niña Emerges in Pacific Ocean

GCaptain
Total Views: 8448
October 14, 2021

A La Niña has developed and will extend through the second winter in a row, according to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of NOAA’s National Weather Service.

La Niña is a natural ocean-atmospheric phenomenon marked by cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures across the central and eastern Pacific Ocean near the equator and is translated from Spanish as “little girl.”

La Nina is one part of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, which is characterized by opposing warm and cool phases of oceanic and atmospheric conditions in the tropical Pacific Ocean.

Consecutive La Ninas, or “double-dip” La Niñas, follow a transition through ENSO neutral conditions and are not uncommon. In 2020, La Niña developed during the month of August and then dissipated in April 2021 as ENSO-neutral conditions returned.

Typical influence of La Niña on Pacific and Atlantic seasonal hurricane activity.
Map by NOAA Climate.gov, based on originals by Gerry Bell.

During La Niña, cold waters in the Pacific push the jet stream northward, which tends to lead to drought in the southern U.S. and heavy rains and flooding in the Pacific Northwest and Canada. La Niña can also lead to a more severe Atlantic hurricane season, but typically suppresses hurricane activity in the central and eastern Pacific basins due to stronger vertical wind shear.

“Our scientists have been tracking the potential development of a La Niña since this summer, and it was a factor in the above-normal hurricane season forecast, which we have seen unfold,” said Mike Halpert, deputy director of NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “La Niña also influences weather across the country during the winter, and it will influence our upcoming temperature and precipitation outlooks.” 

This latest La Niña is expected to last through the early spring 2022. For the upcoming winter season, which extends from December 2021 through February 2022, there is an 87% chance of La Niña.

Previous La Niñas occurred during the winter of 2020-2021 and 2017-2018, and an El Nino developed in 2018-2019. When neither climate pattern is present, ENSO is neutral and does not influence global climate patterns. 

Unlock Exclusive Insights Today!

Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.

Sign Up
Back to Main
polygon icon polygon icon

Why Join the gCaptain Club?

Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.

Sign Up
close

JOIN OUR CREW

Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 104,746 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.

Join Our Crew

Join the 104,746 members that receive our newsletter.