surface temperature (SST) anomalies remained positive across the central and
east-central equatorial Pacific during November 2004.
The SSTs in the eastern equatorial Pacific have increased from near
average to above average, with a November value of 0.3 in the Niņo 1+2
region (Fig. T18, Table T2). The
pattern of Tropical SSTs during November featured positive anomalies greater
than +1.0°C between 160°E and 150°W (Fig. T18).
The SST anomaly in the Niņo 3.4 region remained 0.8, the highest
value since January 2003, and the Niņo 4 anomaly increased to 1.2, the
highest value since November 2003 (Table T2).
Meanwhile, atmospheric features continued to show month-to-month
variability associated with intraseasonal (Madden-Julian Oscillation - MJO)
activity, although the MJO activity during November was weaker than that in
previous months (Figs. T11, T12,
T13, Table T1).
oceanic thermocline, measured by the depth of the 20°C
isotherm, remained slightly deeper than average across most of the
equatorial Pacific during November (Figs. T15, T16). Consistent with
these conditions, oceanic temperatures at thermocline depth were 1-2°C
above average across most of the equatorial Pacific (Fig. T17).
During November, near-average low-level winds
were observed over the equatorial Pacific (Fig. T20). The global
Tropics featured near-average convection, with the exception of enhanced
convection over the
and the equatorial Pacific west of the date line (Fig. T25). The
- Darwin SOI (latest value -0.9, Table T1, Fig.
T1) has been negative
during the past 6 months, primarily in response to higher-than-average
pressure over Darwin.