| The canonical correlation analysis (CCA) forecast
of SST in the central Pacific (Barnett et al. 1988, Science, 241, 192-196;
Barnston and Ropelewski 1992, J. Climate, 5, 1316-1345), is shown in Figs.
F1 and F2. This forecast is produced
routinely by the Prediction Branch of the Climate Prediction Center. The predictions from
the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) coupled ocean/atmosphere model
(Ji et al. 1998, Mon. Wea. Rev, 126, 1022-1034) are presented in Figs. F3 and F4. Predictions from the Cane and
Zebiak model (Cane et al. 1986, Nature, 321, 827-832; Zebiak and Cane 1987, Mon.
Wea. Rev., 115, 2262-2278) are shown in Figs. F5 and
F6. Predictions from the modified Cane and Zebiak model (Chen
et al. 1998, Geophys. Res. Let., 103, 2387-2840), referred to in the figures
as LDEO3, are shown in Figs. F7 and F8.
Predictions using linear inverse modeling (Penland and Magorian 1993, J. Climate, 6,
1067-1076) are shown in Figs. F9 and F10.
Predictions from the Scripps / Max Planck Institute (MPI) hybrid coupled model (Barnett et
al. 1993, J. Climate, 6, 1545-1566) are shown in Fig. F11. The CPC and the contributors to the Forecast Forum caution
potential users of this predictive information that they can expect only modest skill.
Discussion and Outlook
Cold episode (La Niña) conditions continued in the equatorial Pacific during October.
Below normal sea surface temperatures (SSTs) persisted across the central and eastern
tropical Pacific from 170°E to the South American coast (Fig. T18
and Table T2). Consistent with these conditions, tropical
convection remained suppressed across the western and central tropical Pacific during the
month (Fig. T25) and the low-level equatorial easterly
winds remained stronger than normal across these same regions (Fig.
T20).
Over the past several months the pattern of subsurface temperature anomalies has been
very persistent, with positive anomalies in the western equatorial Pacific and negative
anomalies in the eastern equatorial Pacific (Fig. T17).
Consistent with this pattern, the depth of the 20°C isotherm remained deeper (shallower)
than normal in the western (eastern) equatorial Pacific during October (Fig. T16). In the past the depth of the 20°C isotherm has
been a good indicator of transitions to either warm or cold episodes. The onset of warm
(cold) episodes is preceded by a deeper-than-normal (shallower-than-normal) thermocline
across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific. At the present time the subsurface
oceanic conditions show no signs of an evolution toward a pre-warm episode state. Thus, it
is likely that cold episode conditions will persist in the tropical Pacific for at least
the next several months. This assessment is supported by the most recent NCEP coupled
model forecast (Figs. F3, F4a,
F4b) and by other available coupled model
and statistical model predictions that indicate cold episode conditions persisting through
the Northern Hemisphere spring of 2000.
Based on current conditions in the tropical Pacific, on the NCEP SST predictions, and
on results from historical studies on the effects of cold episodes, we expect
wetter-than-normal conditions to occur during the November-March period over Indonesia,
northeastern Australia, southern and southeastern Africa, and northeastern South America.
In the United States, wetter-than-normal conditions are expected in the Pacific Northwest
and Great Lakes regions. Also, drier-than-normal and warmer-than-normal conditions are
expected along the southern tier of the United States and cooler-than-normal conditions
are expected along the northern tier of the United States.
Weekly updates of SST, 850-hPa wind and OLR are available on the Climate Prediction
Center homepage at: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov (Weekly
Update). |
www.nws.noaa.gov
