NASA Satellite Observations Track Historic 2026 El Niño Development

• NASA is monitoring a powerful 2026 El Niño event, currently projected by NOAA to be the strongest since 1950.
• Satellite data reveals shifting trade winds, rising sea levels, and significant temperature increases across the equatorial Pacific.
• Changing ocean chemistry is causing a reduction in phytoplankton, threatening the base of the marine food web.

Ocean Dynamics and Kelvin Waves

• The phenomenon began with Kelvin waves—pulses of warm water traveling from west to east across the Pacific.
• These waves weaken trade winds, allowing warm water to accumulate in the eastern Pacific.
• Sentinel-6 satellite altimetry confirms localized sea level rises of up to 1.3 feet (40 centimeters) along the South American coast.

Temperature and Satellite Monitoring

• Satellite radiometers show sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific are approximately 3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 degrees Celsius) above the long-term average.
• Warm surface water increases atmospheric heat and moisture, disrupting global weather patterns.

Biological Impact

• NASA’s PACE satellite is monitoring changes in ocean color caused by declining phytoplankton populations.
• Reduced upwelling of nutrient-rich water prevents phytoplankton growth, which risks cascading negative effects on the broader marine food web.
• Hyperspectral data confirms a transition to bluer, less productive water along the equator compared to 2025.