ENSO Neutral

ENSO -> Seasonal Climate -> Impacts on Society

During ENSO neutral conditions, surface trade winds blow westward across the equatorial Pacific Ocean. Blowing against the ocean’s surface, these winds result in a westward current.

These persistent winds and currents are responsible for sea levels in the western Pacific, for example, in Indonesia, to be up to 50 cm higher than those in the eastern Pacific, for example, in Peru.

Neutral conditions also foster upwelling of cool, nutrient-rich sea water on the northern Pacific coast of South America. This process supports a healthy marine ecosystem and promotes robust aquaculture activities. Compared to other equatorial Pacific regions, the equatorial region from South America to the central Pacific will experience relatively cool sea temperatures contributing to relatively dry conditions in that area.

During ENSO Neutral, the following conditions are likely: