El Niño 1991-1992
El Niño 1991-1992 lasted about 15 months, from May–Jul 1991 to May–Jul 1992. The Oceanic Niño Index peaked at +1.5 °C in DJF 1992, a strong El Niño, ranked #9 of 23 since 1950.
StartMJJ 1991May–Jul
EndMJJ 1992May–Jul
Duration15 months13 seasons
Peak ONI+1.5 °CDJF 1992
Average ONI+1.06 °Cduring the episode
StrengthStrong#9 / 23
ONI before, during and after El Niño 1991-1992
Season by season
| Season | Year | ONI | Niño 3.4 temp. |
|---|---|---|---|
| MJJ May–Jul | 1991 | +0.6 °C | 28.18 °C |
| JJA Jun–Aug | 1991 | +0.8 °C | 27.97 °C |
| JAS Jul–Sep | 1991 | +0.7 °C | 27.60 °C |
| ASO Aug–Oct | 1991 | +0.7 °C | 27.49 °C |
| SON Sep–Nov | 1991 | +0.8 °C | 27.57 °C |
| OND Oct–Dec | 1991 | +1.2 °C | 27.89 °C |
| NDJ Nov–Jan | 1991 | +1.4 °C | 28.09 °C |
| DJF Dec–Feb | 1992 | +1.5 °C | 28.24 °C |
| JFM Jan–Mar | 1992 | +1.5 °C | 28.40 °C |
| FMA Feb–Apr | 1992 | +1.4 °C | 28.67 °C |
| MAM Mar–May | 1992 | +1.3 °C | 28.91 °C |
| AMJ Apr–Jun | 1992 | +1.1 °C | 28.80 °C |
| MJJ May–Jul | 1992 | +0.7 °C | 28.27 °C |
Compare with other episodes
← El Niño 1986-1988El Niño 1994-1995 →La Niña 1988-1989El Niño 2026 (current)
Frequently asked questions
When did El Niño 1991-1992 start and end?
It started in MJJ 1991 and ended in MJJ 1992, about 15 months.
How strong was El Niño 1991-1992?
Its peak ONI was +1.5 °C (DJF 1992), classified as strong. It ranks #9 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 +1.5 °C peak of El Niño 1991-1992.
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.