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 WWNFF ESI'98 @ Rutgers University
El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation
Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences:

El Nino and the Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

Michael L. Wintemote
May Goodrell Middle School
3300 E. 29th St.
Des Moines, IA 50021

Background

Recent weather events in the Midwest such as the drought of 1988 and flood of 1993 have been attributed to the ENSO phenomenon, specifically the cold phase called La Nina. Studies by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture have revealed that the losses due to crop damage from these two events cost $39 billion in 1988 and $18 billion in 1993.

During El-Nino years the jet stream tract is deflected northward ( Project 2010) resulting in warmer wetter winters, and cooler dryer summers for the Midwest.

Hypothesis

Warm ENSO (El-Nino) events increase the growing season in the midwest.

Procedure

Internet sources were used to collect data on ENSO events, temperature, and precipitation in the Midwest from 1895 to 1997. This data was used to determine what effect, if any, El-Nino events have on the growing season in the Midwest.

Climate Data

Discussion:

Temperature and precipitation for the Midwest (IL, IN, IA, KY, MI, MO, OH and WI) were examined during previous El-Nino events for Spring, Summer and Fall back to 1895 (Midwest Climate Center). While El-Nino events did seem to have some impact on the climate, mostly in the upper Midwest. A wide spectrum of conditions has occurred during past events. This suggest that there are other factors influencing climate in the Midwest. More research needs to be undertaken to understand the relationships between ENSO events and other climate variables.

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