E1 Nino is a climatically significant disruption of the ocean-atmosphere system characterised by large scale weakening of trade winds and warming of the surface layers in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific region. The term E1 Nino, Spanish for "the Christ Child" was originally used by fishermen to refer to a warm ocean current that appeared around Christmas off the west coasts of Ecuador and Peru and lasted several months. Nowadays the term has come to be reserved for exceptionally strong warm currents that bring heavy rains.
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E1 Nino events generally occur at irregular intervals of 2 to 7 years, at an average of once every 3 to 4 years. They typically last 12 to 18 months. the intensity of E1 Nino events varies depending on the intensity of and area encompassed by the abnormally warm ocean temperatures. E1 Nino influences weather around the globe and its impacts are most clearly seen in the winter.
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