Via Steve Pierce, the newest MEI numbers have come out showing some pretty exciting numbers this time of the year! The MEI, which in "big" words, means: Multivariate ENSO Index. We use the MEI to monitor the mutliple oceanic-atmospheric character of ENSO by basing the Multivariate ENSO Index (MEI) on the main observed variables over the tropical Pacific. This allows us to measure the intensity of the ENSO, whether its in a La Nina state or El Nino state. As for today, we are going into new territory. This is currently one of the strongest La Nina's since 1955 if you can belive that? Here's Steve's publication via email:
September MEI Sets New Record
For those who are interested, the September MEI (Multivariate ENSO Index) reading was released today. It was a whopping -1.99 which is the lowest September MEI reading of all-time (1950-2010). It bested the following September readings ---
2010 -1.99
1975 -1.867
1955 -1.815
1973 -1.75
1988 -1.597
It is also the 3rd lowest monthly MEI reading ever recorded (1950-2010) for any month of the year. Only June and August of 1955 with -2.286 and -2.03 respectively were lower than last month. One could say that, as far as the MEI is concerned, this is now the strongest La Nina in 55 yrs (since 1955).
Steve Pierce
Vice President
Oregon Chapter of the American Meteorological Society (AMS)
503-504-2075 (Portland)
e-mail: stevejpierce@comcast.net
web site: http://www.ametsoc.org/chapters/oregon/
Sources:
http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/psd/enso/enso.mei_index.html
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