El Niño/La Niña Update (August 2009) Document 19 August 2009 El Niño conditions have become established over the tropical Pacific, and it is very likely that these will continue at least through the remainder of 2009 and probably into the first quarter of 2010. The ocean surface and subsurface in the central and eastern Equatorial Pacific has been substantially warmer than normal during June and July, supporting the development of an El Niño event. Atmospheric conditions across the tropical Pacific are increasingly showing patterns typical of a developing El Niño event. The development of a basin-wide El Niño has implications for the expected climate patterns in many parts of the world. This information is therefore relevant to many climate-related risk management systems, and users are encouraged to seek detailed interpretations for their locations and sectors. Download document Share: Document type: El NIño / La Niña Update