What characterizes La Niña conditions?

La Niña conditions are characterized by cooler than usual water temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean. This phenomenon occurs when trade winds strengthen, pushing warm surface waters toward the western Pacific, allowing cooler waters from the depths to rise in the eastern Pacific. This cooling can significantly impact global weather patterns, leading to various climatic effects, such as increased precipitation in some regions and droughts in others.

The opposite of La Niña, known as El Niño, is typically associated with warmer surface waters in the eastern Pacific, which is why the correct characterization focuses on the cooler temperatures during La Niña. Understanding La Niña is crucial for forecasting weather patterns and preparing for its climatic impacts.