El niño–southern oscillation

On 15 October 2026, international meteorological agencies released updated reports confirming that the tropical Pacific is currently transitioning into a La Niña phase, marking a significant shift in the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. Following a period of neutral conditions that persisted throughout the mid-year, sea surface temperatures across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific have begun to cool below the long-term average. This development is expected to influence global weather patterns significantly over the coming months, with forecasters predicting increased rainfall across parts of Southeast Asia and Australia, while drier conditions are anticipated for the southern United States and parts of South America. Experts emphasize that while the current La Niña is projected to be of weak to moderate intensity, its impact on global temperature trends and seasonal precipitation remains a critical focus for agricultural planning and disaster risk management. The scientific community continues to monitor subsurface ocean heat content to determine the potential duration and peak strength of this climate event as the Northern Hemisphere enters the winter season.