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Southern Oscillation Index, 1955–2005

Southern Oscillation Index, 1955–2005

Southern Oscillation Index, 1955–2005

The most accurate way of identifying El Niño or La Niña weather phases is to measure the annual air-pressure variation across the Pacific (between Tahiti in the east and Darwin in the west). These measurements are known as the Southern Oscillation Index. A variation of below -1 indicates an El Niño weather pattern. When the variation is above +1, La Niña is active.

Source: NIWA - National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research

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