Tropical Highlights - September 2024

 

During September 2024, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) remained near average across most of the equatorial Pacific (Fig. T18). The latest monthly Nino indices were -0.7C for the Nino 1+2 region, -0.2C for the Nino 3.4 region and +0.3C for the Nino 4 region (Table T2). The depth of the oceanic thermocline (measured by the depth of the 20C isotherm) was below-average across the equatorial Pacific (Figs. T15, T16). The corresponding sub-surface temperatures were 1-4C below-average in the eastern equatorial Pacific (Fig. T17).

 

Also during September, lower-level wind anomalies were easterly over the east-central equatorial Pacific, while upper-level wind anomalies were westerly over the eastern equatorial Pacific (Table T1, Figs. T20, T21). Meanwhile, tropical convection was slightly suppressed around the Date Line and was near average over Indonesia (Fig. T25). 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