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 | Class | Rank | Percent | Extent of U.S., 1803 | Louisiana Purchase, 1803 | West Florida, 1810–1813 | British Cession, 1818 | East Florida, 1819 | Northern Maine, 1842 | Texas Annexation, 1845 | Oregon Country, 1846 | Mexican Cession, 1848 | Gadsden Purchase, 1853 | Alaska, 1867 | Hawaii, 1898 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0.311% | 1.20% | 0.159% | 0.444% | 2.10% | 69.8% | 31.1% | 23.3% | 22.8% | 21.0% | 7.07% | 91.6% | 79.0% | 7.81% | 30.8% | 98.3% | 16.6% | 50.1% | 57.7% | 66.4% | 12.6% | 63.8% | 91.5% |