AMSR-E Anomalous Pacific Sea Surface Temperature Data Used to predict 2003 Hurricane Season

  • Released Monday, June 23, 2003
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Researchers and forecasters often study sea surface temperatures to predict the upcoming year's tropical cyclone activity. This sequence tracks warmer-than-normal waters and colder-than-normal waters in the Pacific Ocean. In 2003, experts have predicted a 'normal to below normal' number of tropical cyclones. Researchers say the Pacific may transition to the colder-than-normal La Niña phase. Fewer than normal hurricanes generally form when El Niño is present. Areas in red represent warmer than normal and areas in blue represent cooler than normal.

This animation show a year in the life of global ocean temperatures, June 2, 2002 to May 11, 2003. Blue indicates the cooler-than-normal water. Red shows warmer-than-normal water.

For More Information

See http://www.gsfc.nasa.gov/topstory/2003/0529hurricane03.html

Credits

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center
Scientific Visualization Studio

This page was originally published on Monday, June 23, 2003.
This page was last updated on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 1:57 PM EDT.

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