♻️ap environmental science review

El Niño

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examWritten by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

El Niño is a climate pattern characterized by warmer-than-normal ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, which can cause significant changes in weather patterns worldwide.