Sea-Surface Temperature Anomalies: El Niño
OceansPhysical EnvironmentA composite of sea-surface temperature anomalies during El Niño from November to March during the following years: 1958, 1966, 1973, 1983, 1987, 1992, 1996, and 1998. When sea-surface temperatures in the tropical eastern Pacific rise well above normal, it is known as an El Niño event.
NOAASea-surface temperature anomalies during El Niño. The most intense warming (2 to 2.25 degrees Celsius, dark brown) occurs off the coast of South America. Cooler areas (negative 2.25 to negative 2 degrees Celsius, dark blue) are in the Arctic Ocean.
-0.25 to 0.25 | 0.75 to 1.0 | 1.0 to 1.25 | 1.25 to 1.5 | 1.5 to 1.75 | Less than 20°F | 20–29°F | 30–39°F | 40–49°F | 50–54°F | 55–59°F | Class | Rank | Kilotons per year | Class | Rank | Value | 2.0 to 3.0 | 3.0 to 4.0 | 4.0 to 5.0 | 5.0 to 7.0 | 7.0 to 9.0 | 9.0 to 11.0 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0.311% | 1.20% | 0.159% | 0.444% | 2.10% | 69.8% | 31.1% | 23.3% | 22.8% | 21.0% | 7.07% | 4.46% | 9.15% | 35.6% | 57.0% | 46.5% | 13.9% |
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