Tropical Highlights – May 2012

 

 

 ENSO-neutral conditions continued during May 2012, as reflected by the near-average sea surface temperature (SST) across the central and east-central equatorial Pacific. Meanwhile, SSTs in the eastern equatorial Pacific continued to be warmer-than-average during the month (Fig. T18, Table T2). The latest monthly Niño indices were -0.1°C for the Niño 3.4 region and +1.2°C for the Niño 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 far eastern equatorial Pacific (Figs. T15, T16).

Also during May, the equatorial low-level easterly trade winds remained slightly above-average over the central and west-central equatorial Pacific (Table T1, Fig. T20). Enhanced convection was seen across Indonesia and Papua New Guinea (Figs. T25, E3). 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