El Niño conditions have now been established in the Pacific. Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) values have met the established thresholds required to formally declare El Niño conditions.
El Niño is a natural climate pattern that occurs when sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean become warmer than usual. This changes rainfall and wind patterns across the region. El Niño events usually occur every two to seven years and can last from several months to more than a year.
