International
For Central America, the arrival of a “Child Godzilla” has historically brought with it prolonged droughts, severe summers, and altered rainfall that affects agriculture.
El Niño poses a serious threat due to torrential rains, flash floods and high temperatures. (Free Press Photo: EFE)
In recent days the expression began to circulate “Child Godzilla” to refer to freak which is currently being developed in the Pacific Ocean and that also affects hurricane season in it Atlantic Oceanwhich has had a beginning don’t worryand perhaps it is time to start pointing out the Child as responsible.
Although the name may seem striking, “Child Godzilla” does not correspond to an official category used by meteorological organizationsbut to a nickname with which scientists usually describe the most intense of this climatic phenomenon, characterized by temperatures of the water superiors to the average in the Pacific.
According to the American television network cnnEl Niño occurs when the surface waters of the Pacific Ocean become they heat more than normal, which alters atmospheric circulation and modifies the patterns of rain and temperature in different parts of the world. Therefore, the phenomenon could reach greater intensity in August.
“The main characteristic of El Niño is precisely that sudden change in the speed or direction of the wind at short distance, either horizontally or vertically,” he stated. Michael Lowrya hurricane expert based in Miami, Florida, who believes that El Niño will arrive in August and will alter the climate in North and Central America.
Signs of Child Godzilla
According to what was stated by the Deutsche Wellethe international broadcasting service and news network of Germanythe first signs of what some have described in advance as the “Child Godzilla”due to its possible magnitudesince an event is planned exceptionally intense of this phenomenon.
According to the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is a 90% chance that El Niño will begin in August and gain intensity between November and December. Therefore, among other effects, it is expected that the surface temperature of the sea off the coasts of the US and Mexico.
“El Niño is such a strong alteration of the climate system that it has immediate impacts in areas surrounding the Pacific Ocean, but also beyond: at a global level it impacts the temperature of the whole planet”he explained Martin Jacquesprincipal researcher at the Center for Climate and Resilience Science, Chile, who studies this phenomenon.
Jacques clarified that, although the probability of a “Child Godzilla” episode occurring is high, there is no certainty about the consequences what it could bring, since several factors intervene. “That has to do with the complexity of this system and marine overheating that severely alters global patterns,” said the Chilean.
How certain is there of the arrival of Child Godzilla?
The climatologist Raul Corderoa researcher at the University of Santiago, explained that “Child Godzilla” is the name by which high intensity El Niño episodes are known. Therefore, for an episode to be considered “Child Godzilla,” the ocean temperature must be at least 2°C above usual values.
Furthermore, according to Cordero, this threshold has only been exceeded thrice in the last 50 yearsso these are rare episodes. However, for Central America, the arrival of a Godzilla Child historically brings with it prolonged droughts, severe summers and an alteration in rainfall that affects agriculture.