Question

which of the following best describes conditions during el niño events in the western pacific ocean near the equator (i.e. near indonesia)?
choose 1 answer
a warm ocean surface temperatures and intense coastal rainfall
b cool ocean surface temperatures and intense coastal rainfall
c warm ocean surface temperatures and drought in the coastal regions
d cool ocean surface temperatures and drought in the coastal regions

Explanation:

During El Niño events, the trade winds weaken. This leads to a reduction in the upwelling of cold, nutrient - rich water in the eastern Pacific. In the western Pacific (near Indonesia), the ocean surface temperatures become cooler as the warm water that is usually accumulated in the western Pacific is redistributed. Also, the rainfall patterns change. The area that usually has intense coastal rainfall (due to the warm, moist air rising over the warm western Pacific waters) experiences drought because the warm water and the associated convective activity (which causes rainfall) are shifted eastward.

Answer:

D. cool ocean surface temperatures and drought in the coastal regions