Study of Climate Variability and Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Sea Surface Temperature in Pacific Ocean of Nariño, Colombia: Study Period 2018–2023

Abstract. Climate variability is one of the main challenges for coastal communities, particularly in the Colombian Pacific, where phenomena such as El Niño and La Niña significantly affect the environment and local livelihoods. This study analyzes sea surface temperature (SST) in the department of Nariño between 2018 and 2023, combining satellite imagery with local meteorological records.

Using Landsat data and IDEAM observations, spatial and temporal patterns of SST were mapped. Geostatistical methods, specifically ordinary and simple kriging, were applied to estimate temperature in areas without direct observations, with accuracy assessed through cross-validation. The results show that SST responds clearly to ENSO events, with warming during El Niño and cooling during La Niña.

Beyond technical outcomes, this work provides a practical tool to understand how ocean changes affect the region. The findings offer valuable insights for territorial planning, climate risk management, and productive sectors such as fisheries and agriculture, which depend directly on ocean dynamics.