Tropical Highlights – April 2020

 

 

During April 2020, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) remained above-average across much of the equatorial Pacific (Fig. T18). The latest monthly Niño indices were +0.4°C for the Niño 1+2 region, +0.6°C for the Niño 3.4 region and +0.8°C for the Niño 4 region (Fig. T5). The depth of the oceanic thermocline (measured by the depth of the 20°C isotherm) was below-average across much of the equatorial Pacific (Figs. T15, T16). The corresponding sub-surface temperatures were 1-2°C above average across the western and central equatorial Pacific, and 1-2°C below average in the eastern equatorial Pacific (Fig. T17).

 

Also during April, the lower-level wind anomalies were easterly across much of the equatorial Pacific (Fig. T20). The upper-level westerly winds were stronger than average across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific (Fig. T21). Meanwhile, tropical convection was suppressed around the Date Line and was near average over Indonesia (Figs. T25, E3). 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