Description given on Youtube:
The El Niño Southern Oscillation, or Enso, has a big influence on Australia’s climate and seasonal variability.
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See all the Climatedogs: www.climatekelpie.com.au
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In a normal, or neutral, year, the Pacific Ocean trade winds blow from east to west, pushing moist air towards Australia.
This moist tropical air is a big source of rain across many parts of Australia.
But Enso’s behaviour can vary from year to year.
During La Niña, Enso chases greater amounts of moist tropical air across Australia.
Many La Niña (La Nina) years have seen higher winter and spring rainfall across large parts of Australia.
And in northern Australia, the first rains of the wet season tend to be earlier during La Nina years, along with an increased chance of floods and tropical cyclones.
During El Niño, Enso changes its mind and drives warm moist air away from Australia and towards South America instead.
El Niño (El Nino) years have often resulted in a drier winter and spring for eastern Australia, as well as an increased chance of frost and heatwave events. Up north, El Niño can bring a later start to the wet season rains, with typically fewer tropical cyclones and floods.
Enso often teams up with the other climatedogs to affect our seasonal rainfall.
Climatologists closely follow Enso’s behaviour, looking at ocean temperatures, the SOI, and cloud and wind patterns to work out where it might chase that moisture next.
Enso is definitely an important dog to keep your eye on.
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The National Climatedogs are proudly funded by Managing Climate Variability: www.managingclimate.gov.au
Local Climatedogs are also available for NSW (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk9LkrTEpBc) and Victoria (http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farm-management/weather-and-climate/understanding-weather-and-climate/the-climatedogs-the-four-drivers-that-influence-victorias-climate).