Tropical Highlights - September 2014

 

 

During September 2014, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) were above-average across the equatorial Pacific (Fig. T18, Table T2). The latest monthly Ni�o indices were +0.5C for the Ni�o 3.4 region and +1.0C for the Ni�o 1+2 region (Table T2, Fig. T5). The depth of the oceanic thermocline (measured by the depth of the 20C isotherm) was above-average over much of the equatorial Pacific (Figs. T15, T16), with corresponding sub-surface temperatures being 1-3C above average in the eastern equatorial Pacific (Fig. T17).

Also during September, the low-level easterly trade winds remained near-average across the equatorial Pacific (Table T1, Fig. T20). Meanwhile, enhanced tropical convection was observed over the western 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