Tropical Highlights

  Table of Atmospheric Indices  (Table 1)

  Table of Oceanic Indices  (Table 2)

  Time Series

  Time-Longitude Sections

  Mean & Anomaly Fields

  Appendix 1: Outside Contributions

Tropical Highlights

JUNE 2010

Sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies continued to decrease across the equatorial Pacific Ocean during June 2010 (Fig. T18).  The latest monthly SST indices were -0.4°C and -0.2°C for the Niño-3.4 and the Niño-1+2 regions, respectively (Table T2, Fig. T5). Consistent with this evolution, the oceanic thermocline (measured by the depth of the 20°C isotherm) was shallower than average across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific (Figs. T15 and T16), with sub-surface temperatures reaching 1°C to 4°C below average in the region (Fig. T17). The latest Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) from the NOAA/CPC is 0.3 for AMJ 2010, which officially indicates the end of the El Niño event. (http://www.cpc.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/ensostuff/ensoyears.shtml)

Also during June, equatorial low-level easterly winds remained stronger than average over the western and central Pacific (Table T1, Fig. T20). This wind pattern was associated with enhanced convection over Indonesia and suppressed convection across the western and central equatorial Pacific (Figs. T25 and E3). Collectively, these oceanic and atmospheric anomalies reflect developing 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