1997–98 El Niño event
Animation of sea surface temperature anomalies in the eastern Pacific Ocean along the equator. | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | May 1997 |
| Dissipated | June 1998 |
| Overall effects | |
| Damage | $32–96 billion |
| Areas affected | The Pacific Ocean and surrounding areas |
The 1997–1998 El Niño was regarded as one of the most powerful El Niño–Southern Oscillation events in recorded history, resulting in widespread droughts, flooding and other natural disasters across the globe. It caused an estimated 16% of the world's reef systems to die, and temporarily warmed air temperature by 1.5 °C (2.7 °F) compared to the usual increase of 0.25 °C (0.45 °F) associated with El Niño events. The costs of the event were considerable, leading to global economic losses of US$5.7 trillion within five years.
It led to a severe outbreak of Rift Valley fever after extreme rainfall in north-eastern Kenya and southern Somalia. It also led to record rainfalls in California during the water season of 1997–98, one of Indonesia's worst droughts on record, and contributed to the worst tornado outbreak in the history of the state of Florida. 1998 ultimately became the warmest year in recorded history (up until then).