Tropical Highlights � August 2012

 

 

�ENSO-neutral conditions continued during August 2012. The sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies remained warmer-than-average across the central and east-central equatorial Pacific during the month (Fig. T18, Table T2). The latest monthly Ni�o indices were +0.7�C for the Ni�o 3.4 region and +0.4�C for the Ni�o 1+2 region (Table T2, Fig. T5). Consistent with these conditions, the depth of the oceanic thermocline (measured by the depth of the 20�C isotherm) remained near-average in the east-central equatorial Pacific and above-average in the eastern equatorial Pacific (Figs. T15, T16).

However, the equatorial low-level easterly trade winds remained slightly enhanced over the west-central equatorial Pacific and slightly weaker than average across the east-central equatorial Pacific (Table T1, Fig. T20). This pattern does not reflect a clear atmospheric response to the positive SST anomalies. Enhanced convection was seen across Indonesia (Figs. T25, E3), which is further indication that the atmospheric circulation is not yet reflecting El Ni�o. Collectively, these oceanic and atmospheric anomalies reflect 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