NASA spots giant ocean swell that could signal El Niño’s return

El Niño's 'whole different ocean' to send odd sea creatures to US

El Niño could lead to a 'sharky summer' on the West Coast as the record-warm water causes all sorts of animals to change their behavior.

NASA spots giant ocean swell that could signal El Niño’s return

NASA satellites have detected a vast pulse of warm water reaching the coast of South America, signaling that El Niño is likely developing. The warm water is being carried eastward by massive ocean waves known as Kelvin waves, which also cause sea levels to rise. El Niño can reshape weather patterns worldwide, bringing floods, droughts, and temperature extremes.

SMOS salinity could offer early indicator of El Niño

As the Pacific Ocean moves into an El Niño phase, scientists are monitoring changes in sea-surface temperature, but also sea-surface salinity – which is another key indicator of this phenomenon.Measurements from satellites such as the European Space Agency's SMOS mission are revealing how freshwater and salt patterns shift across the Pacific as this year’s El Niño develops – offering a potential new pathway for early detection.