NOAA monitors ocean signs for El Niño arrival on West Coast

The warm waters observed off Southern and Central California this spring have led some observers to wonder whether the current El Niño has already reached the West Coast. Scientists clarify that the elevated sea surface temperatures are not a direct result of the developing El Niño but stem from a marine heat wave that began earlier in the year, predating the climate event’s onset.

While the heat wave has produced localized warming, most of the Pacific coastline continues to experience conditions that are close to seasonal norms. Meteorologists and oceanographers are monitoring the situation as the El Niño, which is projected to be strong, may still bring significant weather and oceanic impacts to the region later in the year.