Tropical Highlights - January 2021

 

 

During January 2021, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) remained below-average across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific (Fig. T18). The latest monthly Niño indices were -0.8°C for the Niño 1+2 region, -1.1°C for the Niño 3.4 region and -1.2°C for the Niño 4 region (Fig. T5, Table T2). The depth of the oceanic thermocline (measured by the depth of the 20°C isotherm) was below-average across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific (Figs. T15, T16). The corresponding sub-surface temperatures were 1-3°C below-average (Fig. T17).

 

Also during January, the lower-level easterly winds were above-average across the western and east-central equatorial Pacific and the upper-level westerly winds were above-average over much of the equatorial Pacific (Fig. T20, Fig. T21). Meanwhile, tropical convection continued to be suppressed over the western and central equatorial Pacific and enhanced over Indonesia (Figs. T25, E3). Collectively, these oceanic and atmospheric anomalies were consistent with La Niña 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