ENSO-neutral refers to conditions in the tropical Pacific Ocean and atmosphere in which neither El Niño nor La Niña is established.
During ENSO-neutral conditions, sea-surface temperatures and atmospheric patterns do not meet the criteria used to identify either the warm phase of El Niño or the cool phase of La Niña.
ENSO-neutral does not mean that weather conditions are normal everywhere or that unusual weather cannot occur. Other climate patterns, local weather systems, and long-term climate change can still contribute to droughts, floods, heat waves, and other extreme events.
ENSO-neutral conditions can occur between El Niño and La Niña events, but the system does not necessarily move directly from one phase to the other.
QUICK FACT
ENSO-neutral means that neither El Niño nor La Niña is established. It does not mean that the climate is stable, that global temperatures are average, or that extreme weather is unlikely.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
- Normal weather: ENSO-neutral conditions do not guarantee ordinary weather in any particular location.
- El Niño: The warm phase of ENSO.
- La Niña: The cool phase of ENSO.
SEE ALSO