Temperatures in the Pacific Ocean

After months of above average ocean temperatures tied to an extremely strong El Niño, researchers say the Pacific Ocean is finally cooling back down. And, while many braced for the possibility of a La Niña event to close out the year and bring even more weather abnormalities, the analysis reveals the onset of such an event is unlikely. A new animation released by Nasa shows how the ocean temperatures have  changed since the start of 2015, illustrating the current transition back to a zone that’s neither too hot or too cold.

The forecast comes from the Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO) and Nasa’s Goddard Space Flight Center. In the past, some El Niño events have been known to be followed by a La Niña, in which deep, cold water moves to the surface. But, the data reveals the ocean temperatures are neutralizing. ‘We are consistently predicting a more neutral state, with no La Niña or El Niño later this year,’ said Steven Pawson, chief of the GMAO.

‘Our September forecast continues to show the neutral conditions that have been predicted since the spring.’ To determine this, the GMAO team used Nasa satellite data along with other information, including aerosols and ozone in the atmosphere, sea ice, winds, sea surface heights and temperatures, and more, to create a seasonal forecast model.

 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3791429/Temperatures-Pacific-Ocean-finally-returning-normal-winter-s-powerful-El-Ni-o-Nasa-reveals.html#ixzz4LO3yvNa3