Tropical Highlights - July 2018

 

 

Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) remained near-average across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific during July 2018 (Fig. T18, Table T2). The latest monthly Niño indices were +0.3°C for the Niño 4 region, +0.3°C for the Niño 3.4 region, and -0.2°C for the Niño 1+2 region (Table T2, Fig. T5). The depth of the oceanic thermocline (measured by the depth of the 20°C isotherm) was above-average across 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 July, the lower-level winds were near-average across most of the equatorial Pacific, while the upper-level westerly winds were above-average over the central and eastern equatorial Pacific (Table T1, Figs. T20, T21). Meanwhile, convection was suppressed across the central equatorial Pacific (Figs. T25, E3). Collectively, these oceanic and atmospheric anomalies reflect 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