Tropical Highlights - May 2025

 

During May 2025, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) were near-average across much of the equatorial Pacific (Fig. T18). The latest monthly Nino indices were +0.2C for the Nino 1+2 region and 0.0C for both the Nino 3.4 region and the Nino 4 region (Table T2). The depth of the oceanic thermocline (measured by the depth of the 20C isotherm) was slightly below-average across the east-central equatorial Pacific (Figs. T15, T16).

 

Also during May, lower-level wind anomalies were easterly over most of the equatorial Pacific, while upper-level winds were near-average across the equatorial Pacific (Table T1, Figs. T20, T21). Meanwhile, tropical convection was enhanced over Indonesia (Fig. T25). Collectively, these oceanic and atmospheric anomalies were consistent with 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