El Niño 2002-2003
El Niño 2002-2003 lasted about 10 months, from Jun–Aug 2002 to Jan–Mar 2003. The Oceanic Niño Index peaked at +1.2 °C in OND 2002, a moderate El Niño, ranked #13 of 23 since 1950.
StartJJA 2002Jun–Aug
EndJFM 2003Jan–Mar
Duration10 months8 seasons
Peak ONI+1.2 °COND 2002
Average ONI+0.84 °Cduring the episode
StrengthModerate#13 / 23
ONI before, during and after El Niño 2002-2003
Season by season
| Season | Year | ONI | Niño 3.4 temp. |
|---|---|---|---|
| JJA Jun–Aug | 2002 | +0.6 °C | 27.85 °C |
| JAS Jul–Sep | 2002 | +0.6 °C | 27.62 °C |
| ASO Aug–Oct | 2002 | +0.8 °C | 27.60 °C |
| SON Sep–Nov | 2002 | +1.0 °C | 27.77 °C |
| OND Oct–Dec | 2002 | +1.2 °C | 27.92 °C |
| NDJ Nov–Jan | 2002 | +1.1 °C | 27.72 °C |
| DJF Dec–Feb | 2003 | +0.9 °C | 27.51 °C |
| JFM Jan–Mar | 2003 | +0.6 °C | 27.39 °C |
Compare with other episodes
← El Niño 1997-1998El Niño 2004-2005 →La Niña 2000-2001El Niño 2026 (current)
Frequently asked questions
When did El Niño 2002-2003 start and end?
It started in JJA 2002 and ended in JFM 2003, about 10 months.
How strong was El Niño 2002-2003?
Its peak ONI was +1.2 °C (OND 2002), classified as moderate. It ranks #13 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 +1.2 °C peak of El Niño 2002-2003.
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.