El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)


LEARN ABOUT OUR RECENT STUDY:  NOAA El Niño Rapid Response Field Campaign
The connection between Earth’s oceans and atmosphere has a direct impact on the weather and climate conditions we experience. El Niño and La Niña, together called the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), are periodic departures from expected sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. These warmer or cooler than normal ocean temperatures can affect weather patterns around the world by influencing high and low pressure systems, winds, and precipitation. ENSO may bring much needed moisture to a region while causing extremes of too much or too little water in others.
Animation showing average sea surface temperature anomalies over the past year. Updated weekly. (Larger View)
Understanding the processes driving these types of interactions is a key component in improving forecasts and warnings. The ESRL Physical Sciences Division studies multiple aspects of ENSO including its precursors, prediction, diversity, and climate and ecosystem impacts. This information can help keep communities safe and guide decisions related to issues such as water managagement, emergency planning, and ecosystem resilience. See this page for a more detailed explanation of what happens in the ocean and atmosphere during ENSO.
Use the tabs above to view additional information, tools, and resources, which we hope you will find helpful in broadening your understanding of ENSO.

El Niño

El Niño Warmer than normal tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures.

La Niña

La Niña Cooler than normal tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures.
drought flooding coral bleaching
ENSO impacts can include hazards to people and property from droughts, heatwaves, and floods. Ecosystems are also at risk, for example corals may become bleached by distress from unusually warm ocean temperatures.