Tropical Highlights - September 2015

 

 

Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) remained above-average across the equatorial Pacific during September 2015 (Fig. T18, Table T2). The latest monthly Ni�o indices were +2.6�C for the Ni�o 3 region, +2.3�C for the Ni�o 3.4 region, and +2.6�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) also remained above-average across the eastern equatorial Pacific (Figs. T15, T16), and the corresponding sub-surface temperatures were 1-6�C above average (Fig. T17).

Also during September, the low-level westerly wind anomalies and upper-level easterly wind anomalies remained strong across the western and east-central equatorial Pacific (Table T1, Figs. T20, T21). Meanwhile, enhanced convection persisted across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific and suppressed convection was observed across Indonesia and western 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