Climate Prediction Center - Cold Episodes - 0 views
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At times ocean surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific are colder than normal. These cold episodes, sometimes referred to as La NiƱa episodes, are characterized by lower than normal pressure over Indonesia and northern Australia and higher than normal pressure over the eastern tropical Pacific. This pressure pattern is associated with enhanced near-surface equatorial easterly winds over the central and eastern equatorial Pacific.
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bnormally cold waters in the equatorial central give rise to suppressed cloudiness and rainfall in that region, especially during the Northern Hemispherel winter and spring seasons. At the same time, rainfall is enhanced over Indonesia, Malaysia and northern Australia. Thus, the normal Walker Circulation during winter and spring, which features rising air, cloudiness and rainfall over the region of Indonesia and the western Pacific, and sinking air over the equatorial eastern Pacific, becomes stronger than normal.
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Significant departures from normal are shown in the accompanying figures for the Northern Hemisphere winter and summer seasons.
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