{"id":65441,"date":"2026-09-27T18:43:18","date_gmt":"2026-09-27T18:43:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgkplanet.com\/?p=65441"},"modified":"2026-09-27T19:11:55","modified_gmt":"2026-09-27T19:11:55","slug":"la-nina-enso-phenomenon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgkplanet.com\/en\/la-nina-enso-phenomenon\/","title":{"rendered":"La Ni\u00f1a Phenomenon: Origins, Global Impacts and Adaptation Measures"},"content":{"rendered":"

The La Ni\u00f1a phenomenon and Earth’s climate system<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

The scientific community is currently monitoring the “Super El Ni\u00f1o<\/strong>” of 2026 and record-breaking ocean temperatures with concern. At SGK-PLANET<\/strong>, we also analyze the other indispensable half of the story: the La Ni\u00f1a phenomenon<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Below, we explore the scientific origins<\/strong> of this anomaly and its global impacts<\/strong> on rainfall patterns\u2014with a particular focus on hurricanes\u2014and examine the urgent adaptation<\/strong> strategies societies must adopt in the face of climate change<\/strong> that is rapidly transforming the globe.<\/p>\n

What is the La Ni\u00f1a phenomenon, and how does it relate to El Ni\u00f1o?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) defines the La Ni\u00f1a phenomenon\u2014which is associated with El Ni\u00f1o\u2014as follows:<\/p>\n

“El Ni\u00f1o and La Ni\u00f1a are opposite phases of a naturally occurring climate pattern known as the El Ni\u00f1o-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). This phenomenon alters temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific and, at the same time, drives changes in the atmosphere above those waters.” \u2014WMO<\/a><\/p>\n

La Ni\u00f1a is considered the cool phase of the ENSO (El Ni\u00f1o-Southern Oscillation) cycle and acts as a major thermal regulator for the planet. However, its onset also triggers severe atmospheric dynamics across multiple continents.<\/p>\n

The El Ni\u00f1o-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon is a naturally occurring pattern of climate variability (alternating between El Ni\u00f1o and La Ni\u00f1a episodes). La Ni\u00f1a is not caused by climate change<\/strong>\u2014it is a natural cycle\u2014but global warming<\/strong><\/a> does affect the phenomenon by altering the intensity and frequency of associated extreme events.<\/p>\n

It occurs every two to seven years and exerts a major influence on weather patterns across many parts of the world, triggering extreme climate events such as droughts, floods, and storms. La Ni\u00f1a is expected\u2014though not guaranteed\u2014to follow an El Ni\u00f1o episode, particularly if the El Ni\u00f1o event was intense.<\/p>\n

Origins of the La Ni\u00f1a phenomenon<\/strong><\/h4>\n

La Ni\u00f1a has a long history of influencing the climate. According to the INPE, it was first recorded in 1892\u20131893. However, in 2022\u2014after occurring in the Pacific Ocean for a third consecutive year, as reported by the World Meteorological Organization\u2014the phenomenon gave way to El Ni\u00f1o, and global temperatures reached record highs.<\/p>\n

The atmospheric phenomena affecting global temperatures\u2014El Ni\u00f1o and La Ni\u00f1a\u2014originate in the equatorial Pacific Ocean (and the surrounding atmosphere) and have been monitored by research organizations for over a century.<\/p>\n

Measurement systems for ENSO<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 1923, physicist Sir Gilbert Walker discovered the Southern Oscillation phenomenon while observing large-scale changes in sea-level atmospheric pressure across the tropical Pacific. In the late 1960s, meteorologist Jacob Bjerknes concluded that changes in the ocean and atmosphere were linked, giving rise to the term “ENSO.”<\/p>\n

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)<\/a> uses the Oceanic Ni\u00f1o Index (ONI) to determine the occurrence and intensity of El Ni\u00f1o. They calculate the tropical sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly value for a specific Pacific region known as the Ni\u00f1o 3.4 region. The three-month average of this anomaly constitutes the ONI.<\/p>\n

In February 2026, NOAA\u2019s Climate Prediction Center adopted the Relative Oceanic Ni\u00f1o Index (RONI)<\/a> to better identify past events and predict future ENSO activity. It monitors sea surface temperatures and changes in the Walker circulation, providing more useful information for forecasting El Ni\u00f1o and La Ni\u00f1a.<\/p>\n

The ENSO cycle at a glance: Differences between El Ni\u00f1o and La Ni\u00f1a<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Global impacts of the La Ni\u00f1a phenomenon<\/strong><\/p>\n

One characteristic of La Ni\u00f1a is that the easterly trade winds near the equator intensify beyond their usual strength. These stronger winds push surface water toward the western Pacific, while simultaneously causing colder water from greater depths to rise in the eastern Pacific.<\/p>\n

If this cooling persists, it can inhibit air uplift and precipitation in the eastern Pacific, thereby triggering a La Ni\u00f1a event. As the phenomenon evolves, the cooling of the waters causes the winds to intensify further, which can lead to a further drop in water temperatures.<\/p>\n

According to an FAO report, the most recent La Ni\u00f1a event occurred between September 2025 and early 2026, increasing the frequency of weather events capable of damaging crops and consequently exacerbating local food insecurity.<\/p>\n

To better understand how this climate driver works, we have prepared a comparison chart outlining the key characteristics of both phases of the Southern Oscillation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Characteristics<\/th>\nEl Ni\u00f1o (Warm phase)<\/th>\nLa Ni\u00f1a (Cold Phase)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Sea temperature<\/strong><\/td>\nAnomalous warming in the equatorial Pacific<\/td>\nAnomalous cooling in the equatorial Pacific<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Trade Winds<\/strong><\/td>\nWeaken or change direction (West to East)<\/td>\nStrengthen extraordinarily (East to West)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Climate in South America<\/strong><\/td>\nTorrential rains on the coasts of Peru and Ecuador<\/td>\nDroughts and low temperatures on the Pacific coast<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Climate in Colombia\/Caribbean<\/strong><\/td>\nExtreme droughts, heat, and low river levels<\/td>\nHeavy rains, floods, and storms<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Climate in Asia\/Australia<\/strong><\/td>\nProlonged droughts and high risk of wildfires<\/td>\nTorrential monsoons and widespread flooding<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Atlantic Hurricanes<\/strong><\/td>\nLower activity (high wind shear)<\/td>\nHighly active and destructive seasons<\/strong> (low wind shear)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Impact on Fishing<\/strong><\/td>\nNegative (fish migrate due to a lack of nutrients)<\/td>\nExcellent (cold, nutrient-rich water rises)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>

Mitigation and adaptation plans for La Ni\u00f1a<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since La Ni\u00f1a is not a human-induced event, we cannot speak of mitigating the phenomenon itself\u2014that is, we cannot prevent it from occurring. Therefore, mitigation efforts must focus on reducing impacts and material damage. We must then turn to adaptation, seeking to adjust long-term activities to coexist with these environmental changes.<\/p>\n

The 2025\u20132026 La Ni\u00f1a event heightened the risk of droughts, floods, and agricultural disruptions across several regions. Lower rainfall is forecast for East Africa, Central Asia, and the Near East, likely reducing crop yields and increasing food insecurity. In Southern Africa and South America, excessive rainfall could lead to losses and displacement.<\/p>\n

Mitigation: Acting before the event occurs.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In response to the onset of a strong La Ni\u00f1a event in 2025, the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) launched its La Ni\u00f1a Anticipatory Action and Response Plan<\/a>, aiming to “protect the food security and livelihoods of rural communities” against the potential impact of the phenomenon.<\/p>\n

Two-stage plan:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Anticipatory actions: protecting fishermen’s boats before storms, reinforcing river embankments against potential flooding, distributing drought-resistant seeds to farmers, and safeguarding livestock health.<\/li>\n
  2. Early responses: provision of critical supplies\u2014such as medicines for both the human population and livestock to combat potential epidemics, and flexible water storage tanks\u2014and the delivery of financial aid to affected families to cover basic needs.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Adaptation<\/strong><\/p>\n

    To achieve long-term, comprehensive adaptation to the effects of the La Ni\u00f1a phenomenon, countries\u2014through their designated agencies\u2014and local and international industries must take action before the phenomenon arrives, given that the human and financial impact is steadily increasing and reaching incalculable proportions.<\/p>\n

    When the La Ni\u00f1a phenomenon occurs, it is necessary to adopt plans involving key actions implemented by emergency management agencies and disaster planners at all levels. Let us look at the actions that should be taken.<\/p>\n