Past El Niños
Since 1979 there have been 13 completed El Niño events, plus the current one. The two strongest before this one, by peak Oceanic Niño Index, were 1997–98 and 2015–16.
The current event's latest Oceanic Niño Index is 2.46 °C (ASO 2026). For what past El Niños did in a particular country, open that country's page: each one compares every El Niño season since 1979 with all other years.
Peak strength of every El Niño since 1979 (Oceanic Niño Index, NOAA):
| El Niño | Peak index | Peak season |
|---|---|---|
| AMJ 2026 – ASO 2026 (ongoing) | +2.46 °C | ASO 2026 |
| MJJ 2023 – MAM 2024 | +1.99 °C | NDJ 2023 |
| SON 2019 – FMA 2020 | +0.75 °C | NDJ 2019 |
| ASO 2018 – MJJ 2019 | +1.05 °C | NDJ 2018 |
| SON 2014 – AMJ 2016 | +2.59 °C | NDJ 2015 |
| JJA 2009 – FMA 2010 | +1.5 °C | NDJ 2009 |
| ASO 2006 – DJF 2007 | +0.88 °C | OND 2006 |
| JAS 2004 – JFM 2005 | +0.71 °C | NDJ 2004 |
| JJA 2002 – JFM 2003 | +1.19 °C | OND 2002 |
| AMJ 1997 – MAM 1998 | +2.37 °C | NDJ 1997 |
| SON 1994 – JFM 1995 | +0.97 °C | NDJ 1994 |
| MJJ 1991 – MJJ 1992 | +1.54 °C | DJF 1992 |
| ASO 1986 – DJF 1988 | +1.49 °C | ASO 1987 |
| AMJ 1982 – MJJ 1983 | +2.14 °C | DJF 1983 |