Some characteristics and precipitation effects of the El Nino of 1997-1998

The 1997-1998 El Nino was the strongest in known history. However, its effe cts on rainfall in different parts of the globe were not all as expected (f loods were expected in some regions and droughts in others). The characteri stics of this El Nino, and the expected and observed precipitation effects are described; the reasons for the expectations not coming true in some reg ions are discussed. This paper attempts to review the important scientific issues involved in El Nino phenomena for the general reader. (C) 2000 Elsev ier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.