El Niño 2018-2019
El Niño 2018-2019 lasted about 12 months, from Aug–Oct 2018 to May–Jul 2019. The Oceanic Niño Index peaked at +1.1 °C in NDJ 2018, a moderate El Niño, ranked #14 of 23 since 1950.
StartASO 2018Aug–Oct
EndMJJ 2019May–Jul
Duration12 months10 seasons
Peak ONI+1.1 °CNDJ 2018
Average ONI+0.83 °Cduring the episode
StrengthModerate#14 / 23
ONI before, during and after El Niño 2018-2019
Season by season
| Season | Year | ONI | Niño 3.4 temp. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASO Aug–Oct | 2018 | +0.5 °C | 27.28 °C |
| SON Sep–Nov | 2018 | +0.8 °C | 27.53 °C |
| OND Oct–Dec | 2018 | +1.0 °C | 27.69 °C |
| NDJ Nov–Jan | 2018 | +1.1 °C | 27.61 °C |
| DJF Dec–Feb | 2019 | +1.0 °C | 27.54 °C |
| JFM Jan–Mar | 2019 | +0.9 °C | 27.72 °C |
| FMA Feb–Apr | 2019 | +0.9 °C | 28.10 °C |
| MAM Mar–May | 2019 | +0.8 °C | 28.45 °C |
| AMJ Apr–Jun | 2019 | +0.7 °C | 28.50 °C |
| MJJ May–Jul | 2019 | +0.6 °C | 28.21 °C |
Compare with other episodes
← El Niño 2014-2016El Niño 2019-2020 →La Niña 2017-2018El Niño 2026 (current)
Frequently asked questions
When did El Niño 2018-2019 start and end?
It started in ASO 2018 and ended in MJJ 2019, about 12 months.
How strong was El Niño 2018-2019?
Its peak ONI was +1.1 °C (NDJ 2018), classified as moderate. It ranks #14 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 +1.1 °C peak of El Niño 2018-2019.
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.