Southern Oscillation
noun
climatology
: a periodic seesaw fluctuation in sea-level atmospheric pressures over the southern Pacific and Indian oceans that is believed to be linked to El Niño and La Niña events compare arctic oscillation, north atlantic oscillation
Examples of Southern Oscillation in a Sentence
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El Niño and La Niña are opposite ends of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation -- a climate phenomenon based on water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean that influences temperatures and precipitation around the globe, according to the NOAA.
—
Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2026
For example, studies have shown conditions in the Pacific during the previous winter can sometimes have lingering effects on the Atlantic hurricane season during times of transition between the changing patterns known as the El Niño Southern Oscillation.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
El Niño is one phase in a recurring global cycle known as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, with its counterpart being La Niña.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
That activity has been the principal force reshaping our climate, but other sources of natural variability, like the El Niño Southern Oscillation, can also impact patterns.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
El Nino refers to the warmer-than-average phase of the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a natural cycle where sea surface temperatures across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific rise and fall.
—Dan Peck, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center meteorologists are also expecting a La Niña winter, which is part of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation climate cycle.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 Dec. 2025
La Niña will hold on through the Northern Hemisphere winter, with a 61% chance of transitioning to El Niño Southern Oscillation-neutral conditions between January and March 2026.
—Newsroom Meteorologists, Austin American Statesman, 20 Nov. 2025
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Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2026
For example, studies have shown conditions in the Pacific during the previous winter can sometimes have lingering effects on the Atlantic hurricane season during times of transition between the changing patterns known as the El Niño Southern Oscillation.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
El Niño is one phase in a recurring global cycle known as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, with its counterpart being La Niña.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
That activity has been the principal force reshaping our climate, but other sources of natural variability, like the El Niño Southern Oscillation, can also impact patterns.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
El Nino refers to the warmer-than-average phase of the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a natural cycle where sea surface temperatures across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific rise and fall.
—Dan Peck, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center meteorologists are also expecting a La Niña winter, which is part of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation climate cycle.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 Dec. 2025
La Niña will hold on through the Northern Hemisphere winter, with a 61% chance of transitioning to El Niño Southern Oscillation-neutral conditions between January and March 2026.
—Newsroom Meteorologists, Austin American Statesman, 20 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Southern Oscillation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Southern%20Oscillation. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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