What is La Nina?

La Nina is a weather pattern that is created by unusually cold ocean temperatures. A La Nina can happen off the coast of South America or in the eastern equilateral Pacific Ocean around Christmas time. It affects South America and Australia. During the La Nina there is lots of rain and wind. The name La Nina is Spanish for the little girl and often is referred to as a Christ Child. It can also be called El Viejo (old man), Anti Nino, anti El Nino, a cold event, or a cold episode. At least 15 La Ninas have been documented since 1904and happen in irregular intervals of about two to seven years. Sir Gilbert Thomas Walker first described the characteristics of a La Nina in1923 increasing knowledge about the phenomenon. In a La Nina the wind and air temperatures drop because cold ocean and water temperatures power a La Nina. A lot of recent La Ninas have followed an El Nino, which is the opposite of a La Nina, powered by warm ocean and water temperatures.