Tropical Highlights - June 2016

 

 

Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) were near-average across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific during June 2016 (Fig. T18, Table T2). The latest monthly Ni�o indices were -0.1�C for the Ni�o 3 region, -0.1�C for the Ni�o 3.4 region, and +0.3�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) remained below-average across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific (Figs. T15, T16), and the corresponding sub-surface temperatures were 1-3�C below average (Fig. T17).

 

Also during June, the upper and lower-level winds were both near-average across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific (Table T1, Figs. T20, T21). Meanwhile, convection was near-average over most of the equatorial Pacific (Figs. T25, E3). Collectively, these oceanic and atmospheric anomalies reflect a transition from El Ni�o to 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