China Suffers the Strongest El Nino in A Hundred Years

Photo from NASA

The El Nino in east-central equatorial Pacific lasting from 2014 is the strongest on record in a century, and China is subject to severe influence of it, according to China Meteorological Administration (CMA).

Under the power of El Nino this time, China saw abnormally more precipitation in its southern areas last year, whereas the northern part saw abnormally less at the same period. In winter last year, the precipitation was 50 percent more on an year-on-year base, marking a record high increase.

“In the following year of El Nino in China, the Yangtze River area and southeast China are extremely prone to floods, whereas the north will expect to see low temperature,” said Chao Qingchen, deputy director of National Climate Center.

More abnormal phenomena and drastic changes are expected, adding difficulties to the prediction of weather and climate, Chao added.

El Nino happens when sea surface temperature of the Pacific Ocean is defined as prolonged warming when compared with its average value. Developing countries dependent upon agriculture and fishing, particularly those bordering the Pacific Ocean will be the most affected.