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Global Weather Issues for CCEA AS Geography: EL NINO, LA NINA, and Hurricanes

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Lydia Brankin

10/12/2025

Biology

CCEA AS Geography Weather and Climate - Global Weather Issues

351

10 Dec 2025

2 pages

Global Weather Issues for CCEA AS Geography: EL NINO, LA NINA, and Hurricanes

Climate patterns and extreme weather events can dramatically reshape our... Show more

EL NIÑO + LA
What Happens
Warm ocean current flows
west to East across
Pacific with rising air
found at Coast of South
America. Causing chan

El Niño and La Niña: The Pacific's Weather Controllers

Ever wondered why some years bring unexpected droughts whilst others flood normally dry regions? The answer lies in the El Niño Southern Oscillation - a massive flip in Pacific Ocean currents that happens every 3-7 years.

During El Niño, warm ocean water flows east towards South America instead of west. This completely reverses the normal Walker Circulation pattern. Scientists define it as five consecutive months when ocean temperatures sit 0.5°C above average. The impacts are enormous - Southern Asia's vital monsoons weaken, affecting one in four people who depend on these seasonal rains.

La Niña creates the opposite effect, with temperatures 0.5°C below average for at least five months. Strong trade winds push warm water west, creating very low pressure over Australia and high pressure over South America. This intensifies normal weather patterns rather than reversing them.

Key Fact: The 1997-1998 El Niño caused 200 deaths and £9 billion in economic damage, showing just how powerful these cycles can be.

EL NIÑO + LA
What Happens
Warm ocean current flows
west to East across
Pacific with rising air
found at Coast of South
America. Causing chan

Hurricanes: Nature's Most Powerful Storms

Hurricanes are nature's ultimate weather machines, and understanding them could literally save your life. These low-pressure systems typically strike in late summer and early autumn when ocean temperatures peak above 26°C. They're measured on the Saffir-Simpson scale from 1-5, though they go by different names worldwide - cyclones in the Indian Ocean, typhoons in the South China Sea.

Hurricane formation requires specific conditions: warm ocean water at least 60-70 metres deep, uniform atmospheric conditions, and location between 5-30° north or south where the Coriolis force can create rotation. They start as easterly waves, develop into tropical depressions, then tropical storms, before reaching hurricane status with winds over 160 km/hr at the eyewall.

The structure is fascinating - a circular system 500-1000km wide with no weather fronts. The calm eye sits at the centre, surrounded by the violent eyewall where the strongest winds and heaviest rain occur. As hurricanes approach, temperatures and pressure drop rapidly, but when the eye passes overhead, you'll experience an eerie three-hour calm before the storm resumes with opposite wind directions.

Remember: Hurricanes move at just 25 km/hr but pack incredible destructive power, turning everyday objects like bins and furniture into deadly projectiles.



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Anna

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Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

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The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

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Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

 

Biology

351

10 Dec 2025

2 pages

Global Weather Issues for CCEA AS Geography: EL NINO, LA NINA, and Hurricanes

Climate patterns and extreme weather events can dramatically reshape our world, affecting billions of people and entire economies. Two major phenomena - El Niño/La Niña cycles and hurricanes - demonstrate nature's incredible power to disrupt normal weather patterns and create... Show more

EL NIÑO + LA
What Happens
Warm ocean current flows
west to East across
Pacific with rising air
found at Coast of South
America. Causing chan

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El Niño and La Niña: The Pacific's Weather Controllers

Ever wondered why some years bring unexpected droughts whilst others flood normally dry regions? The answer lies in the El Niño Southern Oscillation - a massive flip in Pacific Ocean currents that happens every 3-7 years.

During El Niño, warm ocean water flows east towards South America instead of west. This completely reverses the normal Walker Circulation pattern. Scientists define it as five consecutive months when ocean temperatures sit 0.5°C above average. The impacts are enormous - Southern Asia's vital monsoons weaken, affecting one in four people who depend on these seasonal rains.

La Niña creates the opposite effect, with temperatures 0.5°C below average for at least five months. Strong trade winds push warm water west, creating very low pressure over Australia and high pressure over South America. This intensifies normal weather patterns rather than reversing them.

Key Fact: The 1997-1998 El Niño caused 200 deaths and £9 billion in economic damage, showing just how powerful these cycles can be.

EL NIÑO + LA
What Happens
Warm ocean current flows
west to East across
Pacific with rising air
found at Coast of South
America. Causing chan

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Hurricanes: Nature's Most Powerful Storms

Hurricanes are nature's ultimate weather machines, and understanding them could literally save your life. These low-pressure systems typically strike in late summer and early autumn when ocean temperatures peak above 26°C. They're measured on the Saffir-Simpson scale from 1-5, though they go by different names worldwide - cyclones in the Indian Ocean, typhoons in the South China Sea.

Hurricane formation requires specific conditions: warm ocean water at least 60-70 metres deep, uniform atmospheric conditions, and location between 5-30° north or south where the Coriolis force can create rotation. They start as easterly waves, develop into tropical depressions, then tropical storms, before reaching hurricane status with winds over 160 km/hr at the eyewall.

The structure is fascinating - a circular system 500-1000km wide with no weather fronts. The calm eye sits at the centre, surrounded by the violent eyewall where the strongest winds and heaviest rain occur. As hurricanes approach, temperatures and pressure drop rapidly, but when the eye passes overhead, you'll experience an eerie three-hour calm before the storm resumes with opposite wind directions.

Remember: Hurricanes move at just 25 km/hr but pack incredible destructive power, turning everyday objects like bins and furniture into deadly projectiles.

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

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Most popular content in Biology

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English - inspector calls quotes and analysis

Quotes from every main character

English LiteratureEnglish Literature
10

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user