Tropical Highlights – June 2020

 

 

During June 2020, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) were below-average in the east-central and eastern equatorial Pacific (Fig. T18). The latest monthly Niño indices were -0.7°C for the Niño 1+2 region, -0.4°C for the Niño 3.4 region and +0.2°C for the Niño 4 region (Fig. T5). The depth of the oceanic thermocline (measured by the depth of the 20°C isotherm) was below-average across much of the equatorial Pacific (Figs. T15, T16). The corresponding sub-surface temperatures were 1-5°C below-average across the eastern and east-central equatorial Pacific (Fig. T17).

 

Also during June, the lower-level wind anomalies were easterly across much of the equatorial Pacific (Fig. T20). The upper-level westerly winds were near-average across the central equatorial Pacific (Fig. T21). Meanwhile, tropical convection was suppressed across the western and central equatorial Pacific, and was near average over Indonesia (Figs. T25, E3). 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