Tropical Highlights - May 2015

 

 

During May 2015, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) continued to remain above-average across the equatorial Pacific (Fig. T18, Table T2). The latest monthly Ni�o indices were +1.1�C for the Ni�o 4 region, +1.0�C for the Ni�o 3.4 region, and +2.4�C for the Ni�o 1+2 region (Table T2, Fig. T5). The depth of the oceanic thermocline (measured by the depth of the 20�C isotherm) was above-average across the eastern and east-central equatorial Pacific (Figs. T15, T16), and the corresponding sub-surface temperatures were 1-6�C above average (Fig. T17).

Also during May, the low-level westerly wind anomalies and upper-level easterly wind anomalies continued across the equatorial Pacific (Table T1, Figs. T20, T21). Meanwhile, enhanced convection was observed across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific (Figs. T25, E3). Collectively, these oceanic and atmospheric anomalies are consistent with El Ni�o 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