Tropical Highlights - January 2015

 

 

During January 2015, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) remained above-average across the western and central equatorial Pacific, and became below average in the eastern equatorial Pacific (Fig. T18, Table T2). The latest monthly Niño indices were +0.9°C for the Niño 4 region, +0.5°C for the Niño 3.4 region, and -0.4°C for the Niño 1+2 region (Table T2, Fig. T5). The overall depth of the oceanic thermocline (measured by the depth of the 20°C isotherm) was near-average across the equatorial Pacific (Figs. T15, T16). However, an extensive area of positive subsurface anomalies persisted near the Date Line, while negative anomalies were prevalent closer to the surface east of 110°W (Fig. T17).

Also during January, the low-level easterly trade winds remained near-average across much of the equatorial Pacific (Table T1, Fig. T20). Meanwhile, tropical convection remained enhanced across Indonesia and western equatorial Pacific, and suppressed near the Date Line (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