Tropical Highlights - November 2020

 

 

During November 2020, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) remained below-average across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific (Fig. T18). The latest monthly Niño indices were -0.7°C for the Niño 1+2 region, -1.3°C for the Niño 3.4 region and -0.7°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 much of the eastern equatorial Pacific (Figs. T15, T16). The corresponding sub-surface temperatures were 1-5°C below-average in the eastern equatorial Pacific (Fig. T17).

 

Also during November, the lower-level easterly winds and the upper-level westerly winds were both above-average across the western and central equatorial Pacific (Fig. T20, Fig. T21). Meanwhile, tropical convection continued to be suppressed over the western and central equatorial Pacific (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