El Niño 1968-1969
El Niño 1968-1969 lasted about 10 months, from Sep–Nov 1968 to Apr–Jun 1969. The Oceanic Niño Index peaked at +1.0 °C in DJF 1969, a weak El Niño, ranked #16 of 23 since 1950.
StartSON 1968Sep–Nov
EndAMJ 1969Apr–Jun
Duration10 months8 seasons
Peak ONI+1.0 °CDJF 1969
Average ONI+0.77 °Cduring the episode
StrengthWeak#16 / 23
ONI before, during and after El Niño 1968-1969
Season by season
| Season | Year | ONI | Niño 3.4 temp. |
|---|---|---|---|
| SON Sep–Nov | 1968 | +0.5 °C | 26.90 °C |
| OND Oct–Dec | 1968 | +0.7 °C | 27.06 °C |
| NDJ Nov–Jan | 1968 | +0.9 °C | 27.30 °C |
| DJF Dec–Feb | 1969 | +1.0 °C | 27.42 °C |
| JFM Jan–Mar | 1969 | +1.0 °C | 27.63 °C |
| FMA Feb–Apr | 1969 | +0.8 °C | 27.80 °C |
| MAM Mar–May | 1969 | +0.7 °C | 28.02 °C |
| AMJ Apr–Jun | 1969 | +0.6 °C | 28.06 °C |
Compare with other episodes
← El Niño 1965-1966El Niño 1972-1973 →La Niña 1970-1972El Niño 2026 (current)
Frequently asked questions
When did El Niño 1968-1969 start and end?
It started in SON 1968 and ended in AMJ 1969, about 10 months.
How strong was El Niño 1968-1969?
Its peak ONI was +1.0 °C (DJF 1969), classified as weak. It ranks #16 among 23 El Niño episodes since 1950.
How does it compare with the current El Niño?
The current event (El Niño 2026) has reached +2.5 °C so far, above the +1.0 °C peak of El Niño 1968-1969.
Episodes are computed from NOAA's Oceanic Niño Index (ERSSTv5) with the standard rule: five or more consecutive overlapping seasons at or beyond ±0.5 °C. Free to cite with a link to elninoforecast.com.