What is El Nino?

El Niño refers to a warm ocean current that typically occurs during the Christmas season, originating in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. This phenomenon is characterized by the periodic warming of sea surface temperatures, which can significantly influence weather patterns across the globe. El Niño events can affect climate conditions in various regions, leading to phenomena such as increased rainfall in certain areas and droughts in others.

The significance of El Niño lies in its ability to disrupt normal weather patterns, thereby impacting agriculture, economies, and ecosystems. Although the other options may refer to different climatic and oceanic phenomena, none accurately describe the specific characteristics and timing associated with El Niño, which is most prominently recognized for its association with warm ocean temperatures around the holiday season.