Accurate predictions of El Ni o can be extremely important to the economies of several nations. In general, if nations know what to expect, they can better adapt and prepare ahead of time. There is still a lack of good predictive models for ENSO which would allow for accurate predications of global rainfall variations. These can still be applied and be useful in preparing industries and managing resources, but they are fallible. Indeed, while scientists have put several pieces of the puzzle together, many characteristics of El Ni o and the ENSO system remain a mystery.
Questions still surround the phenomenon.
For example, no one has been able to identify yet why the trade winds suddenly diminish at the start of an El Ni o. Furthermore, no one knows why the El Ni os have been occurring at such a rapid rate recently. Normally, they occur with about equal frequency at intervals of two to ten years, but since 1976, there have been nine El Ni os or one every 2.2 years. Compared to records dating back to 1860, this pattern has never occurred previously. To Psy 412 Home Page Psy 412 Miami University .