Tropical Highlights - March 2023

 

 

During March 2023, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) were above-average in the western and the far eastern equatorial Pacific (Fig. T18). The latest monthly Niño indices were +1.5C for the Niño 1+2 region, 0.0C for the Niño 3.4 region and +0.4C for the Niño 3 region (Table T2). The depth of the oceanic thermocline (measured by the depth of the 20C isotherm) was above-average across the equatorial Pacific (Figs. T15, T16). The corresponding sub-surface temperatures were 1-3C above-average in the far eastern equatorial Pacific (Fig. T17).

 

Also during March, the lower-level and upper-level winds were near normal across most of the equatorial Pacific (Figs. T20, T21). Meanwhile, tropical convection was suppressed over the central equatorial Pacific (Fig. T25). Collectively, these oceanic and atmospheric anomalies were consistent with ENSO-neutral 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