Map displaying the sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean in September 2023. The colours on the map indicate how much the monthly sea surface temperature differs from the long-term average (1985-1993). The red areas indicate warmer-than-average temperatures, while the blue areas indicate cooler-than-average temperatures. The darker the colour, the more significant the difference from the long-term average. White and very light areas indicate near-average temperatures. An above-average sea surface temperature in the central and eastern Pacific is one of the indicators of El Nino conditions, which is the warm phase of a major climate pattern called the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Conversely, a cooler-than-average sea surface temperature across this region is one of the indicators of La Nina conditions, which is the cool phase of ENSO. Tracking the temperature of the sea??s surface helps scientists understand how much heat energy is in the ocean and how it changes over time, enabling them to predict potential impacts in the Pacific region and around the world in advance. Data obtained from the NOAA Coral Reef Watch.