This article provided me with alot of technical information on how El Nino and La Nina work together and make up the Southern Oscillation. The term El Nino refers to a period in which the sea surface water temperature is HIGHER than normal in the eastern Pacific Ocean. This period accompanied by a high air surface pressure in the west Pacific. As El Nino's complement, La Nina refers to a period in which the sea surface water temperature is LOWER than normal in the east Pacific. La Nina also includes a low air surface pressure in the western Pacific. The atmospheric components of these cycles is known as the Southern Oscillation. Meterologic and oceanographic characteristics, including pressure, temperature, precipitation, wind stress and sea level are all affected by El Nino and La Nina. Their individual effects are highly complementary of one another. The picture below depicts the drastic differences between water temperature during an El Nino event and a La Nina event. El Nino is shown in the top left globe, while La Nina is pictured in the bottom right globe.
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