{"id":28469,"date":"2026-09-19T23:37:16","date_gmt":"2026-09-19T22:37:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/how-el-nino-affects-hurricanes-and-tropical-storms\/"},"modified":"2026-09-20T09:56:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-20T08:56:00","slug":"how-el-nino-affects-hurricanes-and-tropical-storms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/how-el-nino-affects-hurricanes-and-tropical-storms\/","title":{"rendered":"How El Ni\u00f1o Affects Hurricanes and Tropical Storms"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Right then, let&#8217;s talk about El Ni\u00f1o and how it shakes things up when it comes to hurricanes and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/tropical-storms-and-monsoons-the-role-of-climate-zones-in-extreme-weather\/\" title=\"Tropical Storms and Monsoons: The Role of Climate Zones in Extreme Weather\">tropical storms<\/a>. The short answer is this: generally speaking, El Ni\u00f1o tends to suppress Atlantic hurricane activity while potentially increasing it in the East Pacific. It&#8217;s a bit more nuanced than that, of course, but that&#8217;s the core idea. It&#8217;s all about how El Ni\u00f1o changes the atmospheric conditions in different parts of the world, creating either a more hostile or more welcoming environment for these powerful weather systems.<\/p>\n<p>Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of hurricane impacts, it\u2019s worth clarifying what El Ni\u00f1o actually is. It&#8217;s not a storm itself, but rather a climate pattern.<\/p>\n<h3>The Warming of the Pacific<\/h3>\n<p>At its heart, El Ni\u00f1o is characterised by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/countries-of-oceania\/\" title=\"Countries of Oceania\">Pacific Ocean<\/a>. This isn&#8217;t just a slight increase; we&#8217;re talking about significant warming that can persist for several months, often between nine and twelve, but sometimes even longer. This warm water isn&#8217;t just sitting there; it has far-reaching effects.<\/p>\n<h3>A Natural Climate Phenomenon<\/h3>\n<p>It&#8217;s important to remember that El Ni\u00f1o is a completely natural phenomenon. It\u2019s part of a larger cycle known as the El Ni\u00f1o-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which also includes La Ni\u00f1a (unusually cool Pacific waters) and a neutral phase. Scientists have been observing and studying these cycles for decades, understanding that they play a significant role in global <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/meteorology\/\" title=\"Meteorology - Understanding Weather\">weather patterns<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>How It Influences the Atmosphere<\/h3>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/el-nino-explained-how-warming-pacific-ocean-waters-affect-the-world\/\" title=\"El Ni\u00f1o Explained: How Warming Pacific Ocean Waters Affect the World\">warmer Pacific waters associated<\/a> with El Ni\u00f1o don&#8217;t just stay in the ocean. They release more heat and moisture into the atmosphere above them. This alters the atmospheric pressure, wind patterns, and rainfall distribution across a vast area, not just in the Pacific but globally through a process called atmospheric teleconnections. These changes are what ultimately influence where and how hurricanes form.<\/p>\n<h2>El Ni\u00f1o&#8217;s Impact on Atlantic Hurricane Activity<\/h2>\n<p>This is where many people in the UK and surrounding regions pay close attention, as Atlantic hurricanes can sometimes have indirect impacts on our weather.<\/p>\n<h3>Increased Vertical Wind Shear<\/h3>\n<p>One of the biggest ways El Ni\u00f1o puts the brakes on Atlantic hurricanes is by increasing vertical wind shear.<\/p>\n<h4>What is Vertical Wind Shear?<\/h4>\n<p>Imagine a tall cake. If you slice straight down, that&#8217;s low wind shear. If you push the knife at an angle, the top of the cake moves differently from the bottom \u2013 that&#8217;s high wind shear. In atmospheric terms, it means the wind speed or direction changes significantly with altitude.<\/p>\n<h4>Why it Matters for Hurricanes<\/h4>\n<p>Hurricanes, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/hurricanes-vs-typhoons\/\" title=\"Hurricanes vs Typhoons\">tropical cyclones<\/a> as they&#8217;re also known, thrive on a calm, organised environment. They&#8217;re like spinning tops; they need to stand upright and develop vertically. High wind shear acts like a wrecking ball, tilting the storm, tearing it apart, and preventing it from strengthening or even forming in the first place. It essentially rips the top off the storm, displacing the heat and moisture it needs to fuel itself.<\/p>\n<h3>Increased Atmospheric Stability<\/h3>\n<p>El Ni\u00f1o also contributes to a more stable atmosphere over the Atlantic.<\/p>\n<h4>Less Convection<\/h4>\n<p>Tropical storms need a lot of convection \u2013 warm, moist air rising rapidly. This is what creates the towering thunderstorms that are the building blocks of a hurricane. El Ni\u00f1o&#8217;s atmospheric patterns can suppress this upward motion of air, leading to fewer and weaker thunderstorms. If you don&#8217;t have those powerful updrafts, you don&#8217;t get a healthy storm developing.<\/p>\n<h4>Drier Air Entrainment<\/h4>\n<p>Sometimes, El Ni\u00f1o can lead to drier air being pulled into the tropical Atlantic from regions like the Sahara Desert. This dry air can be a real killer for developing storms. It evaporates the moisture within the storm, cooling the air and making it harder for the storm to sustain its convective activity. Imagine trying to keep a fire going while someone&#8217;s throwing water on it \u2013 that&#8217;s what dry air does to a tropical cyclone.<\/p>\n<h3>Suppressed African Easterly Waves<\/h3>\n<p>A significant portion of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/the-history-of-caribbean-hurricanes-in-barbados\/\" title=\"The History of Caribbean Hurricanes in Barbados\">Atlantic hurricanes originate<\/a> from disturbances that roll off the coast of Africa, known as African Easterly Waves (AEWs).<\/p>\n<h4>The Birthplace of Many Storms<\/h4>\n<p>These waves are crucial for generating the initial spin and lift that can eventually develop into a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/tropical-rainforest-af-warm-and-wet-year-round-with-no-dry-season-high-rainfall\/\" title=\"Tropical Rainforest (Af): Warm and wet year-round, with no dry season. High rainfall.\">tropical depression<\/a>, and then potentially a hurricane. They are essentially ripples in the atmosphere that move westward across the Atlantic.<\/p>\n<h4>El Ni\u00f1o&#8217;s Disruptive Influence<\/h4>\n<p>El Ni\u00f1o can alter the atmospheric conditions over West Africa and the tropical Atlantic in such a way that these waves are either weaker, less frequent, or encounter more hostile atmospheric conditions (like increased wind shear) soon after forming. This effectively reduces the &#8220;seedlings&#8221; available to grow into powerful storms. Fewer robust AEWs mean fewer opportunities for significant hurricane development.<\/p>\n<h2>El Ni\u00f1o&#8217;s Impact on East Pacific Hurricane Activity<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\" id=\"3\" style=\"max-width:100%;display:block;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:90%;\"><\/p>\n<p>While the Atlantic sees a slowdown, it&#8217;s often a different story across the other side of North and Central America.<\/p>\n<h3>Decreased Vertical Wind Shear<\/h3>\n<p>In direct contrast to the Atlantic, El Ni\u00f1o typically leads to <em>decreased<\/em> vertical wind shear over the eastern and central Pacific Ocean. This creates a much more favourable environment for storms to form and strengthen.<\/p>\n<h4>Smooth Sailing for Storms<\/h4>\n<p>With less wind shear to contend with, nascent tropical disturbances can develop vertically without being torn apart. This allows them to become more organised, tap into the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/ocean-currents-and-their-impact-on-climate\/\" title=\"Ocean Currents and Their Impact on Climate\">warm ocean waters<\/a> more efficiently, and intensify rapidly. It&#8217;s like having a perfectly calm, still surface for your spinning top.<\/p>\n<h3>Warmer Ocean Waters<\/h3>\n<p>This is a pretty straightforward one. El Ni\u00f1o <em>is<\/em> defined by warmer ocean temperatures in this region, and warmer waters are a hurricane&#8217;s primary fuel source.<\/p>\n<h4>The Energy Source<\/h4>\n<p>Tropical cyclones need sea surface temperatures of at least 26.5\u00b0C (around 80\u00b0F) to form and sustain themselves, and preferably even warmer for rapid intensification. El Ni\u00f1o ensures that vast areas of the East Pacific meet and often exceed this threshold, providing ample energy for storms. Think of it as leaving a car with a full tank of petrol on a perfectly flat, clear road.<\/p>\n<h4>Deeper Warm Water<\/h4>\n<p>It&#8217;s not just the surface temperature; the depth of the warm water matters too. El Ni\u00f1o often leads to a deeper layer of warm water. This means that as a hurricane churns up the ocean, it doesn&#8217;t bring up colder water from below as quickly, allowing it to maintain its strength for longer.<\/p>\n<h3>More Conducive Atmospheric Conditions<\/h3>\n<p>Beyond just shear and water temperature, the general atmospheric circulation during El Ni\u00f1o is more conducive to cyclone formation in the East Pacific.<\/p>\n<h4>Enhanced Instability<\/h4>\n<p>El <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/how-el-nino-changes-weather-around-the-world\/\" title=\"How El Ni\u00f1o Changes Weather Around the World\">Ni\u00f1o&#8217;s influence<\/a> can lead to enhanced atmospheric instability, which encourages the formation of thunderstorms. As we discussed, these are the building blocks of any tropical cyclone. More unstable air means more opportunities for those critical updrafts to form.<\/p>\n<h4>Favourable Upper-Level Flow<\/h4>\n<p>The upper-level wind patterns during El Ni\u00f1o are often more divergent over the East Pacific. Divergence at the upper levels helps to draw air up from below, further enhancing convection and promoting the growth of tropical systems. It&#8217;s like having a giant vacuum cleaner sucking air upwards, giving the storms a helping hand.<\/p>\n<h2>The Nuance: Not All El Ni\u00f1os Are Equal<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\" id=\"2\" style=\"max-width:100%;display:block;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:90%;\"><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s important to understand that El Ni\u00f1o isn&#8217;t a monolithic phenomenon. There are variations, and these variations can lead to different outcomes.<\/p>\n<h3>Strength of the Event<\/h3>\n<p>A strong El Ni\u00f1o, where the Pacific warming is particularly significant, generally has a more pronounced effect on hurricane activity than a weaker one. The stronger the warming, the more substantial the atmospheric teleconnections and thus the greater the impact on wind shear and other factors.<\/p>\n<h3>Specific Location of Warming<\/h3>\n<p>Scientists have identified different &#8220;flavours&#8221; of El Ni\u00f1o, such as the traditional East Pacific (or canonical) El Ni\u00f1o and the Central Pacific (or Modoki) El Ni\u00f1o.<\/p>\n<h4>East Pacific El Ni\u00f1o<\/h4>\n<p>This is the classic El Ni\u00f1o, with the warmest waters concentrated closer to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/countries-of-south-america\/\" title=\"Countries of South America\">South American coast<\/a>. This type is most strongly associated with the patterns described above: suppressed Atlantic activity and enhanced East Pacific activity.<\/p>\n<h4>Central Pacific El Ni\u00f1o (El Ni\u00f1o Modoki)<\/h4>\n<p>In this variant, the warmest waters are located in the central equatorial Pacific, rather than stretching all the way to the coast. This can lead to slightly different atmospheric responses. While it still often suppresses Atlantic activity, its influence might be less pronounced, or the patterns of wind shear and stability might be shifted geographically. It&#8217;s a bit like having a different brand of ingredient in a recipe \u2013 the final dish is similar but might have subtle differences.<\/p>\n<h2>Global Ripple Effects Beyond Hurricanes<\/h2>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"UTF-8\"><\/p>\n<table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"5\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;border:2px solid #f2f2f2\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"display:table-row;vertical-align:inherit;border-color:inherit;line-height:40px\">\n<th style=\"padding:12px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;line-height:40px\">Metric<\/th>\n<th style=\"padding:12px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;line-height:40px\">El Ni&ntilde;o Effect<\/th>\n<th style=\"padding:12px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;line-height:40px\">Impact on Hurricanes and Tropical Storms<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"display:table-row;vertical-align:inherit;border-color:inherit;line-height:40px\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;line-height:40px\">Sea Surface Temperature (SST)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;line-height:40px\">Warmer in central and eastern Pacific<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;line-height:40px\">Increases atmospheric instability, influencing storm formation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"display:table-row;vertical-align:inherit;border-color:inherit;line-height:40px\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;line-height:40px\">Vertical Wind Shear<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;line-height:40px\">Increased over Atlantic basin<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;line-height:40px\">Suppresses hurricane development and intensification in Atlantic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"display:table-row;vertical-align:inherit;border-color:inherit;line-height:40px\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;line-height:40px\">Atlantic Hurricane Frequency<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;line-height:40px\">Decreased<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;line-height:40px\">Fewer hurricanes and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/tropical-storms-and-monsoons-the-role-of-climate-zones-in-extreme-weather\/\" title=\"Tropical Storms and Monsoons: The Role of Climate Zones in Extreme Weather\">tropical storms form<\/a> during El Ni&ntilde;o years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"display:table-row;vertical-align:inherit;border-color:inherit;line-height:40px\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;line-height:40px\">Eastern Pacific Hurricane Frequency<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;line-height:40px\">Increased<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;line-height:40px\">More frequent and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/hurricane-dorian-and-its-impact-on-the-bahamas\/\" title=\"Hurricane Dorian and Its Impact on the Bahamas\">intense hurricanes<\/a> due to favourable conditions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"display:table-row;vertical-align:inherit;border-color:inherit;line-height:40px\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;line-height:40px\">Storm Intensity<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;line-height:40px\">Varies by region<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;line-height:40px\">Atlantic storms tend to be weaker; Eastern <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/tropical-storms-and-monsoons-the-role-of-climate-zones-in-extreme-weather\/\" title=\"Tropical Storms and Monsoons: The Role of Climate Zones in Extreme Weather\">Pacific storms<\/a> tend to be stronger<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"display:table-row;vertical-align:inherit;border-color:inherit;line-height:40px\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;line-height:40px\">Storm Track<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;line-height:40px\">Shifted eastward in Pacific<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;line-height:40px\">Storms may impact different <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/coastal-landforms-beaches-cliffs-and-dunes\/\" title=\"Coastal Landforms: Beaches, Cliffs, and Dunes\">coastal areas<\/a> than usual<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"display:table-row;vertical-align:inherit;border-color:inherit;line-height:40px\">\n<td style=\"padding:12px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;line-height:40px\">Atmospheric Moisture<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;line-height:40px\">Increased in Pacific basin<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;line-height:40px\">Supports storm development and sustenance in Pacific<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>While our focus is on hurricanes, it&#8217;s worth noting that El Ni\u00f1o&#8217;s influence stretches far beyond just these storms.<\/p>\n<h3>Rainfall Patterns<\/h3>\n<p>Globally, El Ni\u00f1o leads to significant shifts in rainfall. Some regions, like parts of the southern United States and Peru, often see increased rainfall and a higher risk of flooding. Conversely, areas like Australia, Indonesia, parts of India, and southern Africa often experience droughts. These changes have massive implications for agriculture, water resources, and ecosystems.<\/p>\n<h3>Temperature Anomalies<\/h3>\n<p>Beyond the Pacific, El Ni\u00f1o can influence global temperature patterns. It often contributes to a warmer-than-average global year, as the release of heat from the Pacific ocean into the atmosphere adds to the overall thermal energy of the planet.<\/p>\n<h3>Other Extreme Weather<\/h3>\n<p>While not directly hurricane-related, El Ni\u00f1o can also impact other forms of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/extreme-climates-the-hottest-and-coldest-places-on-earth\/\" title=\"Extreme Climates: The Hottest and Coldest Places on Earth\">extreme weather<\/a>, such as heatwaves, cold spells, and even severe thunderstorms in various regions by altering jet stream patterns and atmospheric stability. The knock-on effects can be quite complex.<\/p>\n<h2>What Does This Mean for Forecasting?<\/h2>\n<p>For meteorologists and forecasters, understanding the current and projected state of ENSO (El Ni\u00f1o, La Ni\u00f1a, or neutral) is absolutely crucial.<\/p>\n<h3>Seasonal Forecasts<\/h3>\n<p>Long-range seasonal hurricane forecasts, which are released well in advance of the hurricane season, always take the ENSO state into account. If an El Ni\u00f1o is expected to develop or persist, forecasters will typically predict a less active Atlantic hurricane season and potentially a more active East Pacific season.<\/p>\n<h3>Dynamic vs. Statistical Models<\/h3>\n<p>Forecasting ENSO itself involves complex oceanographic and atmospheric models. These models, combined with statistical analysis of past events, help to predict whether an El Ni\u00f1o or La Ni\u00f1a will form, how strong it might be, and when it might peak. This information then feeds into the hurricane season outlooks.<\/p>\n<h3>Constantly Evolving Picture<\/h3>\n<p>It&#8217;s important to remember that these are forecasts. While El Ni\u00f1o provides a strong indication of what to expect, other factors can also play a role, such as Atlantic ocean temperatures and atmospheric pressure patterns. The forecast is refined as the season progresses and more data becomes available.<\/p>\n<p>So, there you have it. El Ni\u00f1o isn&#8217;t just a bit of warm water; it&#8217;s a major player in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/the-shifting-climate-zones-how-global-warming-is-redrawing-boundaries\/\" title=\"The Shifting Climate Zones: How Global Warming Is Redrawing Boundaries\">global climate system<\/a>, and its influence on hurricanes and tropical storms is one of its most significant impacts, particularly when we look at the opposing effects it has on the Atlantic and East Pacific basins. It&#8217;s a complex dance between the ocean and the atmosphere, with very real consequences for those in the path of these powerful storms.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2>FAQs<\/h2>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3>What is El Ni\u00f1o?<\/h3>\n<p>El Ni\u00f1o is a climate pattern characterized by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/oceanic-or-maritime-cfb-cfc-mild-summers-and-winters-with-precipitation-year-round-common-in-coastal-regions\/\" title=\"Oceanic or Maritime (Cfb, Cfc): Mild summers and winters with precipitation year-round, common in coastal regions.\">eastern tropical Pacific Ocean<\/a>. It occurs every 2-7 years and can have significant impacts on weather patterns around the world.<\/p>\n<h3>How does El Ni\u00f1o affect hurricanes and tropical storms?<\/h3>\n<p>During an El Ni\u00f1o event, the increased sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean can lead to changes in atmospheric circulation patterns. This can result in stronger wind shear over the Atlantic basin, which can inhibit the development and intensification of hurricanes and tropical storms.<\/p>\n<h3>Does El Ni\u00f1o always suppress hurricane activity?<\/h3>\n<p>While El Ni\u00f1o conditions typically lead to a decrease in hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin, it is not a guarantee. Other factors, such as the presence of other climate patterns like the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, can also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/the-role-of-geography-in-natural-disasters-hurricanes-tornadoes-floods\/\" title=\"The Role of Geography in Natural Disasters: Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Floods\">influence hurricane activity<\/a>. Additionally, El Ni\u00f1o can enhance hurricane activity in other parts of the world, such as the eastern Pacific.<\/p>\n<h3>Can El Ni\u00f1o impact the intensity of hurricanes and tropical storms?<\/h3>\n<p>El Ni\u00f1o can impact the intensity of hurricanes and tropical storms by creating less favourable conditions for their development. Strong wind shear and increased atmospheric stability associated with El Ni\u00f1o can prevent storms from strengthening or maintaining their intensity.<\/p>\n<h3>How long does the influence of El Ni\u00f1o on hurricanes and tropical storms last?<\/h3>\n<p>The influence of El Ni\u00f1o on hurricanes and tropical storms typically lasts for several months, as long as the El Ni\u00f1o conditions persist. However, the impacts can vary depending on the strength and duration of the El Ni\u00f1o event, as well as other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/the-difference-between-weather-and-climate\/\" title=\"The Difference Between Weather and Climate\">climate factors<\/a> at play.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Right then, let&#8217;s talk about El Ni\u00f1o and how it shakes things up when it comes to hurricanes and tropical [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":["How El Ni\u00f1o Affects Hurricanes and Tropical Storms\r"],"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":["Right then, let's talk about El Ni\u00f1o and how it shakes things up when it comes to hurricanes and tropical storms. 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