Tropical Highlights - February 2021

 

 

During February 2021, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) remained below-average across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific (Fig. T18). The latest monthly Ni�o indices were -0.7�C for the Ni�o 1+2 region, -0.9�C for the Ni�o 3.4 region and -1.0�C for the Ni�o 4 region (Fig. T5, Table T2). The depth of the oceanic thermocline (measured by the depth of the 20�C isotherm) was below-average across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific (Figs. T15, T16). The corresponding sub-surface temperatures were 1-4�C below-average (Fig. T17).

 

Also during February, the lower-level easterly winds and the upper-level westerly winds were above-average across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific (Fig. T20, Fig. T21). Meanwhile, tropical convection continued to be suppressed over the western and central equatorial Pacific and enhanced over Indonesia (Figs. T25, E3). Collectively, these oceanic and atmospheric anomalies were consistent with La Ni�a 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