This is a comparison of 4 El Niños including the recent one. The video runs from Jan 5, 1997 through Nov 22, 1998 which records the entire Niño event. The colors represent sea-surface temperature anomalies. Note that the hottest temps recorded here in red represent the differences from normal and not absolute temperatures. It will take a while for this large image to download but click reload on your browser after it is finished for a much faster animation. Images are courtesy of NOAA. Last update- Feb 18, 1999

New:  If you have the patience to load the entire thing, you will also see the beginnings of La Niña. This is evidenced as a blue or cold anomaly at the equatorial Pacific.

For more info: Niño@naturalist.net

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