Kelvin Wave Traversing Equatorial Pacific

Underwater temperature anomalies indicate that a Kelvin wave is currently moving across the equatorial Pacific, and has been for a few months now. Higher than normal temperature anomalies are being observed between 130E and roughly 160W in association with this Kelvin wave.

A Kelvin wave involves an enhanced, warm body of water moving across the equatorial Pacific, showing up as a body of warm water slowly moving eastward. These Kelvin waves can be signs of oncoming El Ninos, which is not surprising considering the atmosphere is in an El Nino state.

This Kelvin wave appears to be weakening, as shown in the May-June frames in the image above. Whether this weakening trend will continue remains to be seen.

Andrew