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 | Class | Rank | Percent | Class | Rank | Metric tons | -2.0 to 0.0 | 0.0 to 1.9 | 2.0 to 3.9 | 4.0 to 5.9 | 6.0 to 7.9 | 8.0 to 9.9 | 10.0 to 11.9 | 12.0 to 13.9 | 14.0 to 15.9 | 18.0 to 19.9 | 20.0 to 21.9 | 22.0 to 23.9 | 24.0 to 25.9 | 26.0 to 27.9 | 28.0 to 29.9 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0.311% | 1.20% | 0.159% | 0.444% | 2.10% | 1.06% | 0.769% | 0.553% | 0.725% | 0.603% | 0.825% | 0.239% | 0.135% | 0.206% | 0.342% | 0.126% | 0.317% | 1.60% | 0.778% | 4.46% |