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
Recent Examples on the Web
The entire natural climate cycle is officially known as El Niño – Southern Oscillation, called ENSO by scientists.
—
Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 15 May 2026
El Niño 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 Ocean rise and fall.
—Dan Peck, ABC News, 14 May 2026
Physical oceanic processes like the El Niño-Southern Oscillation in the Pacific Ocean basin and the Gulf Stream current in the Atlantic can influence climate worldwide.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
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
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
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Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 15 May 2026
El Niño 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 Ocean rise and fall.
—Dan Peck, ABC News, 14 May 2026
Physical oceanic processes like the El Niño-Southern Oscillation in the Pacific Ocean basin and the Gulf Stream current in the Atlantic can influence climate worldwide.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
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
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
Cite this Entry
“Southern Oscillation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Southern%20Oscillation. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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