What is a significant consequence of El Niño on weather patterns?

The choice highlighting dry weather in the U.S. and heavy rains in Australia captures a well-documented impact of El Niño on global weather patterns. El Niño is a climatic phenomenon characterized by the warming of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. This warming influences atmospheric circulation and can significantly alter precipitation and temperature patterns across different regions.

During an El Niño event, the typical weather patterns are disrupted. For instance, the southern United States often experiences drier conditions due to shifts in jet streams and atmospheric pressure systems. Meanwhile, countries like Australia can experience excessive rainfall, leading to the risk of flooding and other related climate issues. This variation in weather highlights the interconnectedness of global weather systems influenced by ocean temperatures.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the major impacts associated with El Niño. Increased snow in the U.S. is not a typical consequence, as El Niño usually leads to milder winter conditions in certain areas. The notion of more hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean is contrary to what typically occurs, as El Niño tends to suppress hurricane activity in that region. Lastly, colder winter temperatures in North America are generally not associated with El Niño, as it can promote warmer conditions in various parts of the continent. Overall, choice B effectively captures the noteworthy