La Nina and El Nino: What Do They Have to Do with Weather?

Dry, flaky skin and lips. The loud whistles of the wind. Leaves and branches are scattered on the streets and in our backyards. Do these sound familiar? If not, how about the wildfires or evacuations? For those of us living in Yorba Linda, these are things we’ve recently experienced or heard about in the news. Do you know why these things are happening? Ever since January 7, 2025, a series of wildfires, dry winds, and rainfalls have caused many to question the weather that is about to arrive for the rest of the year. According to the weather forecast, February’s weather will not be very different from January’s. Winds and rainfall will continue, with temperatures dropping into the 60’s Normally, the La Nina results in drier weather conditions in the eastern Pacific Ocean, which includes the western United States. Drought conditions increase the probability of wildfires. So why has the weather been changing so dramatically recently? What is the cause of this dry wind that’s been creating wildfires, wiping out thousands of acres of land with schools and homes? Interestingly, all of these weather changes can be traced back to the weather term “La Nina”.

But what is the “La Nina”? Essentially, the La Nina is a period where the temperature drops drastically, leading to conditions that tend to be drier, especially in the United States. This pattern is triggered when the cooler winds push the waters, specifically from the East to the Pacific Ocean. During this movement, warm waters are continuously blown to the West, impacting the atmosphere and air pressure. Additionally, California is currently living through the La Nina state, with dry winds and waterless regions.

While La Nina represents no rain, there is another term that explains the exact opposite: “El Nino.” Also referred to as an El Nino Southern Oscillation or “ENSO,” this weather pattern is essentially the contrary of a La Nina. The ocean surface begins to warm and rainfall starts to increase with cold air in the Pacific. Sometimes the after-effects vary when an El Nino occurs, often causing harsh winds and storms.
To understand these more in-depth, let’s dive into the origin. As most audiences realize, El Nino means “the little boy” or “the Christ child” in Spanish. The weather reference originates from over one hundred years ago in South America, when fishermen started to study the weather and ocean patterns. They began to recognize that in the Pacific, the warm water temperatures and weather would appear in December or near Christmas time. This is where the name “El Nino” sprung into action. Additionally, they realized that the opposite would happen every 3-5 years, clarifying how the La Nina got its name.

Every year, both the La Nina and El Nino seem to arise during spring and winter, which again explains why California is suddenly experiencing harsh and peak weather conditions. A professor at the California Baptist University, Helen Jung, Ph.D., in Yorba Linda supposes, “The La Nina and El Nino are the processes that occur naturally. Climate change and its frequency will intensify the La Nina and El Nino. Under the La Nina spell, less rain dries up the vegetation. The dry vegetation becomes fuel load for the fire which will increase the intensity of the wildfires meaning there will be more to burn.”

According to KTLA 5 News, Los Angeles just experienced a dry spell from May to December 2024. Accompanied by the La Nina, LA had only received 0.16” of rain, marking the second driest state in recorded history. Mrs. Pilkenton (S), the Environmental Science teacher at Yorba Linda High School, explains, “Normally, the La Nina results in drier weather conditions in the eastern Pacific Ocean, which includes the western United States. Drought conditions increase the probability of wildfires. In the past, scientists have pointed out that after experiencing an El Nino year, we had more rain than usual, leading to an abundance of vegetation that became the fuel for wildfires. Weather is complicated and I am definitely not an expert, but I do realize that pressure systems and wind also play a role in rain.”
After much research, it can be realized that this kind of phenomenon happens every year. Luckily, our community has accurate weather forecasts, so we can expect whether an El Nino or La Nina is coming. Although many of us are unprepared for the weather shifts that are about to come, even scientists and professionals have concluded that we as people cannot control or prevent the El Nino and La Nina. So, as a society, we should prepare accordingly for whichever El Nino or La Nina will be visiting us next season.