Images related to Warm Water and Strange Weather May Be Connected

The Demise of the Warm Blob
Image

The Demise of the Warm Blob

After changing regional weather patterns and taking a bite out of sea life, an unusually persistent patch of warm water in the northeastern Pacific has chilled out.

Published Feb 16, 2016

Image of the Day Heat Water

Under the Surface of El Niño
Image

Under the Surface of El Niño

With its own forms of underwater weather, the ocean has fronts and circulation patterns that move heat and nutrients around its basins. Changes near the surface often start with changes in the depths.

Published Mar 21, 2017

Image of the Day Heat Water Remote Sensing

Weak El Niño, but Hints of Pacific Change
Image

Weak El Niño, but Hints of Pacific Change

Ocean conditions are not likely to help drought-stressed regions this spring. However, some broader changes might be coming in the Pacific.

Published Mar 25, 2015

Image of the Day Heat Water

El Niño Conditions Are Growing Stronger
Image

El Niño Conditions Are Growing Stronger

Weakening trade winds are allowing warm water to move east across the Pacific in a telltale pattern.

Published Aug 5, 2015

Image of the Day Heat Water

La Niña Makes a Quiet Return
Image

La Niña Makes a Quiet Return

Cooler than normal conditions prevail in the central and eastern Pacific, but the event is so far considered weak.

Published Dec 22, 2017

Image of the Day Water Remote Sensing

El Niño Strengthens in November 2009
Image

El Niño Strengthens in November 2009

These color-coded images show the strengthening of El Niño between October and November 2009. In the November image, warm waters (indicated in red) have spread across the Pacific.

Published Dec 11, 2009

Image of the Day Heat Water

Marine Heat Wave Returns to the Northeast Pacific
Image

Marine Heat Wave Returns to the Northeast Pacific

The warm surface water this summer was caused by an unusual and persistent weather pattern.

Published Sep 13, 2019

Image of the Day Heat Life Water Remote Sensing

Strong La Niña in December 2010
Image

Strong La Niña in December 2010

These images show that the central and eastern Pacific Ocean was unusually cold in December 2010, a tell-tale sign of La Niña. The associated rainfall map shows that La Niña was impacting weather in parts of the globe.

Published Dec 24, 2010

Image of the Day Atmosphere Heat Water

Muted La Niña Follows Potent El Niño
Image

Muted La Niña Follows Potent El Niño

The near-record water temperatures of 2015-16 has been followed by a modest, quiet appearance of La Niña.

Published Jan 6, 2017

Image of the Day Water

Is El Niño Developing?
Image

Is El Niño Developing?

Conditions in May 2014 look similar to those in May 1997, a year that brought one of the most potent El Niño events of the 20th century.

Published May 14, 2014

Image of the Day Water

El Niño Should Be Near Its Peak
Image

El Niño Should Be Near Its Peak

Past events suggest the phenomenon winds down after December and January. But will this year follow the pattern?

Published Jan 22, 2016

Image of the Day Heat Water

La Niña comes to a close
Image

La Niña comes to a close

After appearing for two consecutive winters, La Niña appears to be taking some time off.

Published May 4, 2012

Image of the Day Heat Water

The Return of El Niño
Image

The Return of El Niño

Published Dec 13, 2002

Image of the Day Water