As reported by NOAA Climate Prediction Center/NCEP, starting in January 2023, positive Sea Surface Temperature (SST) anomalies strengthened in the eastern equatorial Pacific. During the last four (4) weeks, Equatorial SSTs were above average in the eastern and western Pacific, Central Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. Said signal is consistent with the onset of an El Niño event.

The images below depict the current SST anomaly for the Tropical Eastern Pacific/Atlantic and the Caribbean region. During the last week, the latter region has experienced a warming rate ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 ^oC/per week.

To learn more about the daily global 5km satellite sea surface temperature anomaly product, visit the NOAA Coral Reef Watch page.