Met office tracking impact of El Niño on Maldives weather
The Met Office also said that weather conditions in the Maldives are influenced by more than the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
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The Maldives Meteorological Service (Met Office) says it is monitoring local weather conditions following the onset of El Niño in the Pacific Ocean.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Met Office said previous moderate and strong El Niño events had influenced rainfall patterns in the Maldives, with some periods recording above-average rainfall and others experiencing lower-than-average precipitation.
According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), sea surface temperatures across the central and eastern Pacific Ocean have exceeded the 0.5-degree Celsius threshold used to classify El Niño conditions.
NOAA has also estimated a 63% probability that the current event will strengthen into a very strong El Niño between November and January.
The Met Office said the effects of El Niño on the Maldives can vary from one event to another.
It noted that:
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No two El Niño events produce the same weather patterns.
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The impact on rainfall depends on the intensity and timing of the event.
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Different parts of the Maldives may experience varying rainfall patterns during the same event.
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The overall effect on the country's climate and rainfall remains uncertain and is being monitored.
The Met Office also said that weather conditions in the Maldives are influenced by more than the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
Other climate systems, including the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), also affect rainfall patterns across the country.
According to the Met Office, the Indian Ocean Dipole can either reinforce or offset the effects of El Niño, depending on its phase.
During a positive Indian Ocean Dipole, warmer waters shift towards the western Indian Ocean, which may result in increased rainfall over the Maldives. During a negative phase, warmer waters move towards Indonesia, which may lead to drier conditions.
The Met Office said it will continue monitoring these climate systems to assess their influence on weather conditions in the Maldives.
