El Nino, an irregularly occurring and complexseries of climatic changes affecting the equatorial Pacific region and beyond every few years, is soon to arrive in California in the next few months. This phenomenon received its name, also meaning “little boy” in Spanish, because of it’s tendency to occurduring Christmas time, which is Jesus’s birthday. It is characterized by unusually warm water in the Pacific Ocean. This event happens once every two to seven years. So why are we making a big deal about it this time?

According to the NOAA (Nation Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), this year’s El Nio is supposedly the largest one that will have happened in 18 years. From October to November, temperatures in the Pacific Ocean have continually risen. El Nino brings with it a series of natural disasters including storms, mudslides, and even droughts. Birds, sea lions, and fishermen go hungry because there is not enough fish to feed all of them; El Nino eradicates many sea animals. Moreover,flooding aids in destroying many parts of California, for California is due for many consecutive storms and mudslides. Californiansmust prepare for such heavy storms in January and February.

However, El Nino isn’t as bad as one may think. Because of El Nio, scientists are able to record this data for better understanding of the ocean’s atmospheric pressures. It can bring us knowledge for us to utilize for better control of these situations. Also, these storms can bring much needed water replenishment to the desert that is California, 97% of which is experiencing drought conditions. With this water, California will be prepared for spring; many plants and crops will flourish. Furthermore,El Nino will most likely continue to suppress hurricanes from forming in the Atlantic Ocean. Because of this, only two hurricanes have formed in the Atlantic so far.

El Nino has both its benefits and costs. Obviously, the costs are a little bit heavier, but it is something that we cannot control. El Nino is coming no matter what happens, and people must prepare for it.


<Young Lee>