ENSOkaari

ENSOkaari is a Finnish term that broadly refers to the atmospheric and oceanic phenomenon known as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). In Finnish, "ENSO" directly refers to the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, while "kaari" can be translated as "arch" or "arc," suggesting a sweeping or overarching pattern. Therefore, ENSOkaari emphasizes the widespread and influential nature of ENSO on global weather and climate systems.

The El Niño-Southern Oscillation is a recurring climate pattern that involves temperature changes in the surface waters of the eastern and central Pacific Ocean. This warming phase, known as El Niño, is accompanied by a cooling phase, La Niña, and a neutral phase. These fluctuations in sea surface temperature have significant impacts on atmospheric circulation, leading to altered weather patterns across the globe, including changes in precipitation, temperature, and storm activity.

The term ENSOkaari highlights that the effects of ENSO are not confined to the Pacific region but extend as far as Finland and other parts of the world, influencing regional climate variability. Understanding ENSOkaari is crucial for meteorological forecasting and for preparing for potential climate-related impacts such as droughts, floods, and extreme weather events.