El Niño/La Niña Update (October 2016)

Since July 2016, tropical Pacific Ocean surface temperatures have approached or marginally exceeded weak La Niña levels. However, a clear atmospheric component of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) pattern has not become evident until recent weeks. Since early October trade winds have strengthened over the tropical Pacific Ocean, indicating that a La Niña-like atmospheric circulation pattern may be developing.