This compares to a previous pattern of an El Nino occurring every 2-7 years and lasting for a year to a year and a half. "Science cannot yet explain the relationship between global warming and the changes in El Nino. However, as temperatures continue to rise, few doubt that El Nino will appear more frequently." El Nino's power is beyond question, and its effects are far-reaching.
一九八二到九八年間，聖嬰陸續發威過五回，較過去認為的間距二到七年、每次出現一至一年半的規律更為頻繁，「科學界尚無法解釋全球暖化與聖嬰的相關變動，但是氣溫持續上升將伴隨更頻繁的聖嬰現象，已不容懷疑，」柳中明說。