A Strong El Niño Could Change Italy's Autumn Weather
Listen to the story
A powerful El Niño event is forming, and it could bring big changes to weather across the world. Experts say this one may be especially strong.
In Italy, El Niño could change the climate this autumn, possibly bringing unusual weather patterns compared to normal seasons.
The effects may also reach the Amazon, the largest rainforest on Earth. Some experts are asking whether parts of this important ecosystem could be damaged or even disappear because of the changes El Niño brings.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that Europe should prepare now for possible health risks linked to El Niño. The organization says early planning is important to protect people from these effects.
El Niño is a natural weather pattern that happens every few years. It can change rainfall, temperatures, and storms in many parts of the world, sometimes causing serious problems for nature and people.
Vocabulary10 words
- El Niño
- a natural weather pattern that changes temperatures around the world
- climate
- the usual weather in a place over a long time
- Amazon
- a very large forest area in South America
- rainforest
- a thick, wet forest with many trees
- ecosystem
- all living things and nature working together in one place
- WHO
- a big group that works on health for the whole world
- prepare
- to get ready for something
- risks
- chances that something bad could happen
- rainfall
- the amount of rain that falls
- natural
- made by nature, not by people
Quiz
Answer key
1. A strong El Niño and its possible effects 2. It could be damaged or disappear in parts 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A powerful El Niño event is _____, and it could bring big changes to weather across the world. Experts say this one may be especially _____.
In Italy, El Niño could change the climate this _____, possibly bringing unusual weather patterns compared to normal _____.
The effects may also reach the Amazon, the largest rainforest on Earth. Some experts are asking whether parts of this important ecosystem could be _____ or even disappear because of the changes El Niño brings.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that Europe should prepare now for possible health _____ linked to El Niño. The organization says early _____ is important to protect people from these effects.
El Niño is a _____ weather pattern that happens every few years. It can change rainfall, temperatures, and storms in many parts of the world, sometimes causing serious problems for nature and _____.
Discussion questions
- Do you think your country's weather has changed in recent years? How?
- Why do you think large forests like the Amazon are important for the whole planet?
- Why might health organizations warn people to prepare before a weather event happens?
- Have you ever experienced unusual weather that surprised you? What happened?