The graphic below shows the sea surface temperature in the equatorial Pacific  (20ºN-20ºS, 100ºE-60ºW) from Indonesia on the left to central America on the right.
La Niña is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific, compared to El Niño, which is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific. The graphic below shows the sea surface temperature in the equatorial Pacific  (20ºN-20ºS, 100ºE-60ºW) from Indonesia on the left to central America on the right.