Overview
- NASA and NOAA reported Monday that satellite data show the equatorial Pacific has shifted from green to noticeably bluer tones as ocean conditions change.
- Satellites and ocean measurements record eastern Pacific sea-surface temperatures about 1.7°C above average and localized sea-level rises up to roughly 40 cm.
- Scientists say Kelvin waves pushed warm water eastward this year, which weakened trade winds and suppressed upwelling of nutrient-rich water that phytoplankton need to survive.
- The loss of phytoplankton, seen in hyperspectral PACE imagery, threatens the base of the marine food web, has been linked to unusual nearshore species sightings, and increases risks to fisheries and coastal communities.
- NOAA now puts the chance at about 83% that this will be the strongest El Niño since 1950 and forecasters warn the event could strengthen further and drive elevated weather impacts into 2027.