<p>The 2020-2021 La Nina weather phenomenon has ended, the UN's World Meteorological Organisation said Tuesday.</p>.<p>La Nina refers to the large-scale cooling of surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, occurring every two to seven years.</p>.<p>The effect has widespread impacts on weather around the world -- typically the opposite impacts to the El Nino weather phenomenon, which has a warming influence on global temperatures.</p>.<p>The WMO said neutral conditions -- meaning neither the El Nino or La Nina being in effect -- are likely to dominate the tropical Pacific in the next few months, while air temperatures are expected to be above average between June and August, especially in the northern hemisphere.</p>.<p>La Nina conditions have been in place since August-September 2020, according to atmospheric and oceanic indicators.</p>.<p>The phenomenon appeared to have peaked in October-November as a moderate strength event.</p>.<p>There is a 78 per cent chance of neutral conditions in the tropical Pacific until July, decreasing to 55 percent by August-October, said the WMO.</p>.<p>"La Nina has a temporary global cooling effect, which is typically strongest in the second year of the event. This means that 2021 has got off to a relatively cool start -- by recent standards," said WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas.</p>.<p>"This should not lull us into a false sense of security that there is a pause in climate change."</p>.<p>El Nino and La Nina are among the major drivers of the Earth's climate system.</p>.<p>"Carbon dioxide concentrations remain at record high levels and so will continue to drive global warming. According to new predictions issued by WMO, there is a 90 percent likelihood of at least one year between 2021-2025 becoming the warmest on record," said Taalas.</p>.<p>"This would dislodge 2016 -- a strong El Nino year -- from the top ranking."</p>.<p>The last La Nina, which was brief and relatively weak, began developing in November 2017 and ended in April 2018.</p>
<p>The 2020-2021 La Nina weather phenomenon has ended, the UN's World Meteorological Organisation said Tuesday.</p>.<p>La Nina refers to the large-scale cooling of surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, occurring every two to seven years.</p>.<p>The effect has widespread impacts on weather around the world -- typically the opposite impacts to the El Nino weather phenomenon, which has a warming influence on global temperatures.</p>.<p>The WMO said neutral conditions -- meaning neither the El Nino or La Nina being in effect -- are likely to dominate the tropical Pacific in the next few months, while air temperatures are expected to be above average between June and August, especially in the northern hemisphere.</p>.<p>La Nina conditions have been in place since August-September 2020, according to atmospheric and oceanic indicators.</p>.<p>The phenomenon appeared to have peaked in October-November as a moderate strength event.</p>.<p>There is a 78 per cent chance of neutral conditions in the tropical Pacific until July, decreasing to 55 percent by August-October, said the WMO.</p>.<p>"La Nina has a temporary global cooling effect, which is typically strongest in the second year of the event. This means that 2021 has got off to a relatively cool start -- by recent standards," said WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas.</p>.<p>"This should not lull us into a false sense of security that there is a pause in climate change."</p>.<p>El Nino and La Nina are among the major drivers of the Earth's climate system.</p>.<p>"Carbon dioxide concentrations remain at record high levels and so will continue to drive global warming. According to new predictions issued by WMO, there is a 90 percent likelihood of at least one year between 2021-2025 becoming the warmest on record," said Taalas.</p>.<p>"This would dislodge 2016 -- a strong El Nino year -- from the top ranking."</p>.<p>The last La Nina, which was brief and relatively weak, began developing in November 2017 and ended in April 2018.</p>