El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
Introduction
LEARN ABOUT OUR RECENT STUDY: NOAA El Niño Rapid Response Field Campaign
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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.
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.
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Warmer than normal tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures.
Cooler than normal tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures.
