Final answer:
El Niño is characterized by positive Sea Surface Temperature (SST) anomalies in the eastern Pacific, influencing global weather patterns. Significant El Niño events often have SST anomalies above b.2°C, indicating a strong episode of this climatic phenomenon.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question concerns the measurement of the intensity of El Niño events, which is based on Sea Surface Temperature (SST) anomalies in the eastern Pacific. The SST anomalies being positive indicate higher than average sea temperatures, with the 'greatest values being more than ________ C°.' To give a long answer, during an El Niño event, these anomalies are critical in influencing global weather patterns, including changes in temperature and precipitation. Statistically, significant El Niño events can have SST anomalies in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific exceeding 2°C above average, indicating a strong El Niño.
El Niño is the warm phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) where a band of warm ocean water develops in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific. The SST anomalies in the eastern Pacific during El Niño are positive, with the greatest values being more than 2°C. SST anomalies along the equator are also positive. The location, degree, extent, and duration of the warm SST anomalies define the El Niño phenomenon.