ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Western Hemisphere Warm Pool

Imagine a big swimming pool full of warm water. Now imagine that the pool is not just small, but huge - so huge that it covers almost half of the earth! That's what we call the Western Hemisphere Warm Pool (WHWP).

The WHWP is essentially a huge area of the ocean in the western hemisphere where the water is warmer than surrounding areas. This area includes parts of the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, and is roughly located between the equator and the Tropic of Cancer. The warm water is caused by a combination of factors, like the sun's heat, ocean currents, and wind patterns.

This pool of warm water is important because it affects weather and climate patterns around the world. For example, warm water in the WHWP can cause more hurricanes and typhoons to form because the warm water provides energy to these storms. Additionally, the warm water can affect rainfall patterns, ocean currents, and even fisheries in the area.

Scientists study the WHWP to understand how it works and how it might change over time. By understanding the WHWP, we can better predict weather patterns and prepare for natural disasters like hurricanes and typhoons.