Prenote: These charts denote 'vector winds'. Above normal means winds moving eastward, below normal means winds moving westward. This rule goes for all three charts.
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| La Nina 850mb Wind Anomalies |
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| El Nino 850mb Wind Anomalies |
An analysis of the lower level winds around the world indicate that there are some areas that are showing characteristics similar to that of a La Nina. I marked off 5 areas in the image below, which shows the latest weekly 850mb wind anomalies across the world.
AREA 1: There is a band of above normal wind anomalies stretching from northwest South America to waters a few hundred miles off of southern Mexico. Looking at typical wind anomalies for each ENSO phase, this wind band is in a position that would typically unveil El Nino-like wind anomalies, but these winds are above normal, whereas the El Nino would find below normal winds in this area. What this means is that the atmosphere favors a La Nina set-up in that particular area. Because those winds extend into Nino 1+2, the region of ENSO monitoring farthest to the east, this could impact what the ENSO will eventually do this winter.
AREA 2: There is a wide swath of below normal wind anomalies off the southeast coast of South America. A comparison to typical El Nino wind anomalies in that area shows that what is being observed is opposite of what an El Nino would show. It appears that it is safe to say that the South American continent is supportive of a La Nina.
AREA 3: A string of above normal wind anomalies almost parallel to Area 1 is stationed offshore Africa, extending northwest. For once, there is a sign that the El Nino could still be present, as above normal wind anomalies match up with typical El Nino wind conditions. However, notice how the La Nina 850mb wind anomalies also show the same string of above normal winds. There's only one way to settle this- In North Africa, winds are stronger in an El Nino, and opposite in a La Nina. Currently, North Africa is exhibiting below normal wind anomalies, indicating further support of a La Nina.
AREA 4: The waters in the Indian Ocean into parts of Oceania are showing an anomaly of winds, so we turn to the comparison charts. This situation actually shows both a La Nina and El Nino side, as there is a below normal spot of winds just south of India (El Nino symptom). However, waters to the east contain abnormally active winds, a sign of a La Nina. So we can call this one a draw for the moment.
AREA 5: There is an area of below normal wind anomalies present offshore the Northwest coast of the United States. If we do a quick check on the typical Nina/Nina charts, we see that this anomaly actually resembles an El Nino. However, don't get too excited just yet: The winds just to the north of this below-normal swath resemble that of a La Nina.
It's a very tricky situation, and this is just a drop in the bucket to help determine what the atmosphere wants to do.
Andrew
1 comment:
Hello Andrew! It certainly looks like this winter will be a tough one to call down to the last minute.Lookingforward to reading your winter outlook tomorrow!
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