Tropical Highlights � April 2014

 

 

�During April 2014, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) were above-average across much of the eastern and central equatorial Pacific (Fig. T18, Table T2). The latest monthly Ni�o indices were +0.2�C for the Ni�o 3.4 region and -0.4�C for the Ni�o 1+2 region (Table T2, Fig. T5).

However, a downwelling oceanic Kelvin wave has produced a significant sub-surface warming across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific during March and April. Consistent with these conditions, 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), with corresponding sub-surface temperatures being 2-6�C above average (Fig. T17).

Also during April, the low-level easterly trade winds remained near-average across the equatorial Pacific (Table T1, Fig. T20). Meanwhile, tropical convection remained enhanced over the west-central equatorial Pacific (Figs. T25, E3). Collectively, these oceanic and atmospheric anomalies reflect a continuation of 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