ENSO and Sea Surface Temperatures
Neutral state in the tropical Pacific Ocean continues Negative SST anomalies in the equatorial region near the South American coast
The Equatorial Pacific atmosphere and ocean have been in a neutral state for the last few months. The short-lived sea surface cooling that developed in the east during May has completely dissipated. The equatorial sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies are weak (but generally positive) right across the Pacific. The NINO3 SST anomaly has risen to +0.4°C in July (from –0.4°C in June). NINO4 rose to +0.7°C. The three-month (May–July) means were –0.2°C and +0.5°C for NINO3 and NINO4, respectively. The trade winds and OLR patterns show small anomalies across the tropical Pacific. The equatorial thermocline was depressed in the east, where a positive sea temperature anomaly has developed in recent weeks.
Most global climate models predict a neutral El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) state lasting into early 2004.
Sea surface temperature anomalies (°C) for July 2003
Mean sea surface temperatures (°C) for July 2003
