El Nino is also known as the southern oscillation. The El Nino phenomenon can be described as a type of abnormal warming that occurs on the surface ocean waters in the part of the eastern tropical pacific that is known as the southern oscillation. The southern oscillation operates in a type of see-saw pattern that occurs when the surface air pressure between the western and the eastern tropical pacific is reversed. When this happens, the surface pressure is reversed as well as the ocean warming. When these two reversals are reversed in a mostly simultaneous manner, then weather forecasters and meteorologists tend to call this phenomenon as the southern oscillation or the El Niño phenomenon.
Where did the name El Nino come from? This nickname was given to the weather phenomenon by South American fisherman who began to notice the El Nino phenomenon in the previous decade. But what does the El Nino phenomenon name mean? The El Nino name specifically translates as the child, but in this context the El Nino name translates as 'the Christ child.' It was named thusly by the South American fishermen because the weather phenomenon occurs at roughly the same time as the celebration of the Christ Child, that is, during the Christmas season. However, although the El Nino generally begins during these months (winter months in the United States and North America) it can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
What causes the condition described as El Nino to start in the first place? The phenomenon known as El Nino is still a bit of a mystery to the scientists. In general, most scientists cannot pinpoint the exact reason for why the El Nino develops. However, most scientists believe that the El Nino has contributed to some of the most devastating weather that has ever occurred in the United States. For example, most researchers believe that the El Nino phenomenon is at least partially responsible for the disaster and devastation wrought by several large weather events such as Mississippi floods of 1993 and the California floods of 1995. The El Nino phenomenon is also thought to contribute to the drought conditions that have plagued many parts of the world, including areas in Australia, South America, and Africa.
