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Please note!
This fact brief was originally published as an experiment to test the concepts behind fact briefs.
Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of useful information in fact briefs like this one, not all of them reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
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FACT BRIEF

Do scientists agree on how La Niña and El Niño cycles might be affected by climate change?

By Allegra Taylor
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NO

Recent scientific findings around the potential interaction between overall climate changes and La Niña and El Niño weather events are inconclusive.

The terms refer to alternating phases of a weather pattern caused by changes in the temperature of the Pacific Ocean. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, La Niña events represent periods of cold surface temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific. The changes, at irregular intervals, are associated with varying weather patterns across wide areas of the world.

Understanding of the impact a warming climate could have on La Niña or El Niño is not definitive. Studies suggest that climate change could increase the frequency and variability of La Niña and El Niño phases—and El Niño more so.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association: What are El Niño and La Niña?
Columbia University: What’s the connection between El Niño and global warming?
Live Science: La Niña events may spike with climate change
World Meteorological Organization: El Niño/La Niña FAQs
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Gigafact
Between 2020 and 2022, under close editorial supervision, Gigafact contracted a group of freelance writers and editors to test the concepts for fact briefs and provide inputs to our software development process. We call this effort Gigafact Foundry. Over the course of these two years, Gigafact Foundry writers published over 1500 fact briefs in response to claims they found online. Their important work forms the basis of Gigafact formats and editorial guidelines, and is available to the public on Gigafact.org. Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of relevant information to be found, not all fact briefs produced by Gigafact Foundry reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date and need to be looked at with fresh eyes, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
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About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.