The Tropical Pacific Ocean is Cooling Dramatically

.

NOAA's latest El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Evolution, Status, and Prediction Presentation (issued yesterday) shows that the equatorial Pacific Ocean has switched over from a very warm phase to a downright cold phase in the space of just a few months.

This generally means we could have a cooler than normal winter, but there are a lot of other factors and variations in play.

Map view of temperature anomalies.  North and South America are on the right.

Temperature changes in the Pacific along the equator over the last year

Cross-section of the Pacific along the equator showing temperatures at depth

.