Tropical Highlights - February 2019

 

 

Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) remained above-average across the equatorial Pacific during February 2019 (Fig. T18, Table T2). The latest monthly Ni�o indices were +0.3�C for the Ni�o 1+2 region, +0.7�C for the Ni�o 3.4 region and +1.0�C for the Ni�o 4 region (Table T2, Fig. T5). The depth of the oceanic thermocline (measured by the depth of the 20�C isotherm) was above-average across much of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific (Figs. T15, T16), and the corresponding sub-surface temperatures were 1-4�C above average (Fig. T17).

 

Also during February, the lower-level easterly winds were weaker-than-average (indicated by westerly anomalies) across the equatorial Pacific (Table T1, Fig. T20), while the upper-level westerly winds anomalies were above-average over the eastern equatorial Pacific (Fig. T21). Meanwhile, tropical convection was suppressed over Indonesia and enhanced near the Date Line (Figs. T25, E3). Collectively, these oceanic and atmospheric anomalies reflect weak El Ni�o conditions.

 

For the latest status of the ENSO cycle see the ENSO Diagnostic Discussion at: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/enso_advisory/index.html