The El Niño Southern Oscillation is a key driver behind much of our weather worldwide, and this year there has been much talk about the extreme level, but how does it work?

Imagine a force that connects our oceans and skies, moulding global weather patterns and shaping our conditions. That force is the climate phenomenon known as the El Niño Southern Oscillation.

It involves a critical interaction between the oceans and atmosphere characterised by two phases: El Niño and La Niña. We are currently in an El Niño phase, and set for the strongest deviation in sea surface temperatures ever recorded.

An El Niño phase has been thought to suppress Atlantic hurricane formation too, as evidenced by the lack of any hurricanes this season despite this point of the season usually seeing at least four.