The data used in the investigation consist of rain gauge observations, satellite-derived rainfall and sea surface temperatures in the Central Pacific Ocean. The evolution of patterns of rainfall anomalies associated with the El Nino episodes of 1982-83,987-88 and 1997-98 is examined by using satellite-derived rainfall. It is found that the patterns of rainfall anomalies vary from one episode to another. That it is difficult to predict rainfall anomalies by extrapolation from previous patterns.