SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE (SST)

By the end of 2004, western Pacific SSTs were near than normal throughout much of Micronesia. Warmer than normal SSTs were found near and along the equator from 160° E (the approximate longitude of Kapingamarangi) eastward across most of the central Pacific. SST anomalies exceeding +1° C (~ +2° F) were located near and along the equator in the region of the International Date Line. By early February 2005, cooler water appeared along the South American coast and the equatorial eastern Pacific, while the warm pool continues to persist near the International Date Line. The resurgence of cool water along the eastern Pacific is consistent with a gradual weakening of the El Niño conditions. The current weak El Niño conditions are expected to continue to weaken during the next few months bringing cooler SSTs.