Climate change could undermine El Nino’s mastery of Atlantic hurricanes

Global warming could have a dramatic effect on El Niño, the periodic warming of the eastern Pacific Ocean that alters global weather patterns and calms Atlantic hurricane seasons, according to a new study published this week in the journal Nature.

Specifically, the warming might help spur the development of a secondary El Niño, one which forms thousands of miles to the west in the central Pacific Ocean, near the International Date Line. Unlike its kin to the east, the central Pacific El Niño appears to cause more Atlantic tropical storms and hurricanes.

“There are two El Niños, or flavors of El Niño,” said Ben Kirtman, co-author of the study and professor at the University of Miami. “In addition to the eastern Pacific El Niño which we know and love, a second El Niño in the central Pacific is on the increase.”

Scientists have dubbed the new phenomenon El Niño “Modoki” (the Japanese word "modoki" refers to something that is "similar but different"). It has been blamed for worsening drought conditions in Australia and India.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/sciencefair/2009/09/climate-change-could-undermine-el-ninos-mastery-of-atlantic-hurricanes.html