El Niño 1976-1977
El Niño 1976-1977 lasted about 8 months, from Aug–Oct 1976 to Jan–Mar 1977. The Oceanic Niño Index peaked at +0.8 °C in NDJ 1976, a weak El Niño, ranked #19 of 23 since 1950.
StartASO 1976Aug–Oct
EndJFM 1977Jan–Mar
Duration8 months6 seasons
Peak ONI+0.8 °CNDJ 1976
Average ONI+0.73 °Cduring the episode
StrengthWeak#19 / 23
ONI before, during and after El Niño 1976-1977
Season by season
| Season | Year | ONI | Niño 3.4 temp. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASO Aug–Oct | 1976 | +0.6 °C | 27.13 °C |
| SON Sep–Nov | 1976 | +0.8 °C | 27.28 °C |
| OND Oct–Dec | 1976 | +0.8 °C | 27.28 °C |
| NDJ Nov–Jan | 1976 | +0.8 °C | 27.28 °C |
| DJF Dec–Feb | 1977 | +0.7 °C | 27.19 °C |
| JFM Jan–Mar | 1977 | +0.7 °C | 27.33 °C |
Compare with other episodes
← El Niño 1972-1973El Niño 1977-1978 →La Niña 1974-1976El Niño 2026 (current)
Frequently asked questions
When did El Niño 1976-1977 start and end?
It started in ASO 1976 and ended in JFM 1977, about 8 months.
How strong was El Niño 1976-1977?
Its peak ONI was +0.8 °C (NDJ 1976), classified as weak. It ranks #19 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 +0.8 °C peak of El Niño 1976-1977.
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.