Tropical Highlights - February 2025

 

During February 2025, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) were below-average across the central and east-central equatorial Pacific and above-average in the far eastern equatorial Pacific (Fig. T18). The latest monthly Nino indices were +0.7C for the Nino 1+2 region, -0.4C for the Nino 3.4 region and -0.6C for the Nino 4 region (Table T2). The depth of the oceanic thermocline (measured by the depth of the 20C isotherm) was below-average across the east-central and eastern equatorial Pacific (Figs. T15, T16). The corresponding sub-surface temperatures were 1-5°C below-average in most of the eastern equatorial Pacific (Fig. T17).

 

Also during February, lower-level wind anomalies were easterly over the western and central equatorial Pacific, while upper-level wind anomalies were westerly across the east-central and eastern equatorial Pacific (Figs. T20, T21). Meanwhile, tropical convection was suppressed around the Date Line and was enhanced near Indonesia (Fig. T25). Collectively, these oceanic and atmospheric anomalies were consistent with weakening La Nina 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