Tropical
Highlights – November 2012
During November 2012, the sea surface temperatures (SSTs) remained slightly
warmer-than-average across the central and
east-central equatorial Pacific, but colder-than-average over the far eastern
equatorial Pacific (Fig. T18, Table
T2). The latest monthly
Niño indices were +0.4°C for the Niño 3.4 region
and
-0.4°C for the Niño 1+2 region (Table T2,
Fig. T5). Consistent
with these conditions, the depth of the oceanic thermocline (measured
by the depth of the 20°C isotherm) remained slightly above-average
across the central and east-central equatorial Pacific (Figs. T15, T16).
The Southern
Oscillation Index (SOI) remained near average during November, with the latest
monthly index value being +0.3 (Table T1). Meanwhile, the equatorial low-level easterly
trade winds remained slightly enhanced over the west-central equatorial Pacific
and near-average across the east-central equatorial Pacific (Table T1, Fig. T20). This pattern is largely consistent with continued
ENSO-neutral conditions. Enhanced convection
was seen over the western 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