Satellite Altimetry Puts the 2026 El Niño in Context

Adapted by News by Levels October 24, 2026

Ocean similarities leave regional impacts uncertain.

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

Your learning

Loading your learning…

Environment news editorial illustration for NASA Maps Compare This Year’s El Niño With 1997

Beginner support · Translation help

Read with help in your language

Choose a language to see each paragraph translated below the English. Tap highlighted words for a quick meaning.

Your language

from 1997 and 2026 a . the and .

to . , a not in .

Source: NASA Earth Observatory, 2026-10-23.

Read · Think · Practise

Try this story

Try 2 questions about this story, then explain one idea in your own words. Check the text whenever you need to.

Print a worksheet · Teacher guide & answers

Read and understand · 1/2Which link supports the use of altimetry? Thermal expansion links height and heat Height alone fixes every regional forecast Every El Niño has identical effects

Read the answer and explanation

Thermal expansion links height and heat. The text explicitly connects heat and height.

Clue: Thermal expansion links ocean height to stored heat. However, a resemblance between events does not establish identical weather outcomes in individual regions.

Read and understand · 2/2Which inference goes beyond these measurements? The ocean patterns have similarities Every region will repeat its 1997 weather Regional outcomes remain uncertain

Read the answer and explanation

Every region will repeat its 1997 weather. Similarities do not establish identical regional outcomes.

Clue: Thermal expansion links ocean height to stored heat. However, a resemblance between events does not establish identical weather outcomes in individual regions.

Your turn

Explain why similar observations can coexist with uncertain regional effects.

Your answer (not saved or sent)

See one possible answer

Sea height indicates ocean heat, but does not fix the weather in every region.

Your answer can be different. Give a reason and use your own words.

0 of 2 questions checked.

Tell us what helped or felt difficult

Which reading level did you try? Was a sentence unclear? Did the questions help you understand the story?

Send feedback by email

Satellite Altimetry Puts the 2026 El Niño in Context

Read with help in your language

Try this story

Your turn

Related stories

Satellites Record a Low Antarctic Maximum

Wildfire Cloud Measurements Enter Analysis

Post-Flight Analysis Confirms Heat Shield Performance

A little English in your inbox.