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 | 4.50–4.59 pH | 4.60–4.69 pH | 4.70–4.79 pH | 4.80–4.89 pH | 4.90–4.99 pH | 5.00–5.09 pH | 5.10–5.19 pH | 5.20–5.29 pH | ≥5.30 pH | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0.311% | 1.20% | 0.159% | 0.444% | 2.10% | 69.8% | 31.1% | 23.3% | 22.8% | 21.0% | 7.07% | 4.29% | 14.4% | 23.8% | 24.2% | 18.5% | 16.1% | 11.6% | 6.63% | 81.6% |