Pacific Ocean salinity June 2026

As the Pacific Ocean moves into an El Niño phase, scientists are monitoring changes in sea-surface temperature, but also sea-surface salinity – which is another key indicator of this phenomenon. Measurements from satellites such as the European Space Agency's SMOS mission are revealing how freshwater and salt patterns shift across the Pacific as this year’s El Niño develops – offering a potential new pathway for early detection.

The image presents a snapshot of sea-surface salinity across the Pacific Ocean in June 2026, processed from observations acquired from several sources.

Read full story: SMOS salinity could offer early indicator of El Niño