El Niño 2019-2020
El Niño 2019-2020 lasted about 8 months, from Sep–Nov 2019 to Feb–Apr 2020. The Oceanic Niño Index peaked at +0.8 °C in NDJ 2019, a weak El Niño, ranked #22 of 23 since 1950.
StartSON 2019Sep–Nov
EndFMA 2020Feb–Apr
Duration8 months6 seasons
Peak ONI+0.8 °CNDJ 2019
Average ONI+0.65 °Cduring the episode
StrengthWeak#22 / 23
ONI before, during and after El Niño 2019-2020
Season by season
| Season | Year | ONI | Niño 3.4 temp. |
|---|---|---|---|
| SON Sep–Nov | 2019 | +0.5 °C | 27.22 °C |
| OND Oct–Dec | 2019 | +0.7 °C | 27.37 °C |
| NDJ Nov–Jan | 2019 | +0.8 °C | 27.31 °C |
| DJF Dec–Feb | 2020 | +0.7 °C | 27.25 °C |
| JFM Jan–Mar | 2020 | +0.7 °C | 27.44 °C |
| FMA Feb–Apr | 2020 | +0.6 °C | 27.80 °C |
Compare with other episodes
← El Niño 2018-2019El Niño 2023-2024 →La Niña 2020-2021El Niño 2026 (current)
Frequently asked questions
When did El Niño 2019-2020 start and end?
It started in SON 2019 and ended in FMA 2020, about 8 months.
How strong was El Niño 2019-2020?
Its peak ONI was +0.8 °C (NDJ 2019), classified as weak. It ranks #22 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 2019-2020.
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.