La Niña is a climate pattern that directly affects global weather, including India ’s monsoon and agricultural cycles. It is the opposite of El Niño and is part of the larger El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. Let’s explore what La Niña is, how it forms, and why it matters.
- La Niña conditions emerged in December 2024 but were weak and short-lived, with the Niño-3.4 index unlikely to reach -1.0 °C during the event.
- The Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) for January 2025 was -0.73°C, February 2025 was -0.43°C, and March 2025 was -0.01°C, indicating a weakening La Niña that ended by April 2025.
- There was a 59% chance La Niña would persist through February–April 2025, but only about a 40% chance it would continue into March–May 2025; by April 2025, ENSO-neutral conditions had returned with a 96% probability of neutral conditions persisting through June 2025.
- The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported a 60% probability of a shift back to ENSO-neutral conditions during March–May 2025, increasing to 70% for April–June 2025, with negligible chances of El Niño developing in this period.
- Despite La Niña’s typical cooling effect, January 2025 recorded global temperatures 1.75°C above pre-industrial levels, marking the warmest January on record and continuing a trend of high global temperatures.
- ENSO-neutral conditions are favored to persist through Northern Hemisphere summer 2025, with probabilities above 50% through August–October 2025, and La Niña chances about double those of El Niño later in the year but still lower than neutral
What is La Niña?
La Niña is a weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean. During La Niña, strong winds push warm water towards Asia. This causes colder water to rise to the surface near South America. La Niña can affect weather around the world, often bringing the opposite effects of El Niño. For example, some areas might get less rain while others get more.
La Niña means “little girl” in Spanish. In this weather event:
- The Pacific Ocean near the equator becomes cooler than usual
- Strong trade winds push warm water westwards
- Cold water rises near South America’s west coast
- It impacts weather patterns across the world
Also Read: Climate Change – Pros and Cons
How Does La Niña Form?
La Niña forms due to a natural interaction between the ocean and atmosphere in the Pacific. Here’s how it happens:
| Stage | Description |
| 1. Strengthening Winds | Trade winds blow stronger from east to west |
| 2. Warm Water Shift | Warm ocean water moves towards Asia |
| 3. Upwelling | Cold water from deep ocean surfaces near South America |
| 4. Cooling Effect | Sea surface temperatures drop, affecting global climate |
La Niña and India ‘s Weather
La Niña directly influences Indian monsoon and agriculture. It usually brings more rainfall and cooler temperatures in India.
Effects on India
- ✅ Above-average monsoon – Good for farmers and crops
- ✅ Fewer cyclones in Bay of Bengal
- ✅ Cooler winters, especially in northern India
- ❌ Sometimes leads to floods due to excess rainfall
Also Read: Global Warming – Pros and Cons
Difference Between La Niña and El Niño
| Feature | La Niña | El Niño |
| Ocean temperature | Cooler than normal | Warmer than normal |
| Rainfall in India | More rainfall | Less rainfall |
| Global temperature | Generally cooler | Generally warmer |
| Monsoon strength | Stronger | Weaker |
Global Impacts of La Niña
- Droughts in South America
- Flooding in Australia and Southeast Asia
- Hurricanes in the Atlantic become stronger
- Wheat and rice production may rise in Asia
Also Read: Globalization – Pros and Cons
Why is La Niña Important to Monitor?
Monitoring La Niña helps in:
- Forecasting agricultural output
- Planning disaster management
- Managing water resources
Preparing for climate-related diseases
La Niña is not just an ocean event—it is a global weather influencer, For India, it often means a better monsoon, but it can also cause extreme weather. Understanding La Niña helps governments, farmers, and industries make better decisions.
