1-PIA26710_EL_NIÑO_ENSO_20260302_20260518-web.mp4
Summary: This animation displays sea level anomalies in the Pacific Ocean from March to May 2026, showing the clear development of an El Niño event.
This video, generated from Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite data, illustrates the evolution of sea level anomalies across the Pacific Ocean between March 2 and May 11, 2026. The color scale indicates variations from average sea level, with red and orange representing higher-than-average sea levels (typically associated with warmer water), green representing near-average, and blue and purple representing lower-than-average sea levels (often linked to cooler water). Over the period, a prominent band of red and orange intensifies and expands eastward along the equator in the central and eastern Pacific, which is a classic signature of a developing El Niño event. Concurrently, patches of blue and purple, indicating lower sea levels, emerge and strengthen in the western Pacific. This animation provides a clear visual representation of oceanographic changes during the onset of an El Niño.
Playback guide
1. time: 00:00 label: Animation begins showing Pacific Ocean sea level anomalies on MAR 02 2026. Patches of red and blue are visible, with a faint reddish hint along the eastern equatorial Pacific. 2. time: 00:01 label: By MAR 16 2026, a subtle red band starts to become more defined along the equatorial Pacific, stretching eastward. 3. time: 00:02 label: On MAR 30 2026, the equatorial red band (higher sea level anomaly) is clearly visible and intensifying in the central and eastern Pacific, indicating developing El Niño conditions. 4. time: 00:03 label: APR 06 2026 shows continued intensification and expansion of the high sea level anomaly band along the equator. 5. time: 00:04 label: By APR 20 2026, the El Niño signature is strong, with a prominent red/orange band across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, alongside noticeable low sea level anomalies (purple/blue) in the western Pacific. 6. time: 00:05 label: MAY 04 2026 depicts the strong equatorial high sea level anomaly persisting, indicative of a mature or near-mature El Niño phase. Western Pacific low sea levels are also well-established. 7. time: 00:06 label: The animation concludes on MAY 11 2026, with the strong El Niño pattern of high sea level anomalies dominating the central and eastern equatorial Pacific.