La Niña Officially Ends: NOAA confirms the end of the recent La Niña event in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
Transition to ENSO-Neutral: The climate system is now in ENSO-neutral conditions, expected to persist through summer and with a high chance into autumn.
ENSO Explained: ENSO involves changes in sea-surface temperatures (SST) in the central and eastern tropical Pacific, influencing global weather.
ENSO Phases:
El Niño: Warmer-than-usual SSTs.
La Niña: Cooler-than-usual SSTs.
ENSO-Neutral: Neither El Niño nor La Niña dominates.
March 2025 Observations: SST anomalies in the Niño-3.4 region reached -0.01°C, above the La Niña threshold.
Why This Matters: ENSO significantly affects global agriculture and weather patterns. El Niño weakens monsoon rains, while La Niña enhances them.
Climate Change Impact: Studies suggest increased frequency of extreme El Niño events due to warmer Pacific waters.
Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD): A positive IOD can offset El Niño’s impact on the monsoon.
Trade Winds: Persisting trade winds initially indicate a transition in process.
