El Niño 1972-1973
El Niño 1972-1973 lasted about 12 months, from May–Jul 1972 to Feb–Apr 1973. The Oceanic Niño Index peaked at +1.8 °C in OND 1972, a strong El Niño, ranked #6 of 23 since 1950.
What happened
Linked to the collapse of the Peruvian anchoveta fishery, then the largest fishery in the world.
Impacts vary by region and event; see our country pages for the usual pattern.
ONI before, during and after El Niño 1972-1973
Season by season
| Season | Year | ONI | Niño 3.4 temp. |
|---|---|---|---|
| MJJ May–Jul | 1972 | +0.7 °C | 28.00 °C |
| JJA Jun–Aug | 1972 | +1.0 °C | 27.98 °C |
| JAS Jul–Sep | 1972 | +1.3 °C | 27.91 °C |
| ASO Aug–Oct | 1972 | +1.5 °C | 27.98 °C |
| SON Sep–Nov | 1972 | +1.7 °C | 28.14 °C |
| OND Oct–Dec | 1972 | +1.8 °C | 28.30 °C |
| NDJ Nov–Jan | 1972 | +1.8 °C | 28.20 °C |
| DJF Dec–Feb | 1973 | +1.6 °C | 28.03 °C |
| JFM Jan–Mar | 1973 | +1.1 °C | 27.82 °C |
| FMA Feb–Apr | 1973 | +0.6 °C | 27.61 °C |
Compare with other episodes
← El Niño 1968-1969El Niño 1976-1977 →La Niña 1970-1972La Niña 1973-1974El Niño 2026 (current)
Frequently asked questions
When did El Niño 1972-1973 start and end?
It started in MJJ 1972 and ended in FMA 1973, about 12 months.
How strong was El Niño 1972-1973?
Its peak ONI was +1.8 °C (OND 1972), classified as strong. It ranks #6 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 +1.8 °C peak of El Niño 1972-1973.
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.