The climate phenomenon known as El Niño has captured the attention of meteorologists due to the significant changes it could generate in the Andes Mountains over the coming months. Variations in precipitation, temperatures, and snowfall levels are anticipated, with potential extreme events in various regions of South America.
Impact of El Niño on the Andes Mountains
Experts suggest that some basins in the mountains could see an improvement in snow accumulation, vital for water supply in warmer seasons. However, the combination of heavy rains on existing snow could cause rapid melting, increasing the risk of floods.
In regions like the central Andes, encompassing parts of Chile and Argentina, El Niño is expected to bring an increase in precipitation during winter and spring. This phenomenon can improve snow accumulation in high mountains, benefit reservoirs, and ensure better water availability for various uses.
On the other hand, the increase in precipitation could also heighten the risk of avalanches, landslides, and river floods. These risks are especially high when rains are concentrated in short periods, specialists warned.
Wilfran Moufouma Okia, head of the Climate Prediction Services Division of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), noted that while seasonal forecasts allow certain trends to be anticipated, they cannot predict specific local weather conditions accurately.
Monitoring the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon in the Andes Mountains is crucial for anticipating future atmospheric conditions. ENSO is a natural phenomenon resulting from the interaction between the tropical Pacific Ocean and the atmosphere, manifesting in three phases: El Niño, La Niña, and a neutral phase.
The WMO highlights that, despite being a natural phenomenon, global warming generated by human activity could intensify certain effects of El Niño, exacerbating phenomena such as floods, prolonged droughts, and heatwaves.
According to the WMO’s Secretary-General, Celeste Saulo, the increase in global temperature is amplifying the impacts associated with these natural climate phenomena, making ENSO monitoring an essential tool for planning in strategic sectors such as agriculture, energy, and water management.
