Tropical Highlights - February 2015

 

 

During February 2015, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) remained above-average across the western and central equatorial Pacific (Fig. T18, Table T2). The latest monthly Nino indices were +1.0C for the Nino 4 region, +0.6C for the Nino 3.4 region, and -0.6C for the Nino 1+2 region (Table T2, Fig. T5). The depth of the oceanic thermocline (measured by the depth of the 20C isotherm) was above-average across the central and east-central equatorial Pacific (Figs. T15, T16), and the corresponding sub-surface temperatures were 1-4C above average (Fig. T17).

Also during February, the low-level easterly trade winds remained weaker than average across much of the equatorial Pacific (Table T1, Fig. T20) and upper-level easterly wind anomalies were observed over the east-central equatorial Pacific (Fig.T21). Meanwhile, convection remained enhanced over the western equatorial Pacific, and suppressed across the east-central equatorial Pacific (Figs. T25, E3). Collectively, these oceanic and atmospheric anomalies are consistent with borderline, weak El Nino 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