El Niño/La Niña Update (August 2009)

El Niño conditions have become established over the tropical Pacific, and it is very 

likely that these will continue at least through the remainder of 2009 and probably 

into the first quarter of 2010. The ocean surface and subsurface in the central and 

eastern Equatorial Pacific has been substantially warmer than normal during June 

and July, supporting the development of an El Niño event. Atmospheric conditions 

across the tropical Pacific are increasingly showing patterns typical of a developing 

El Niño event. The development of a basin-wide El Niño has implications for the 

expected climate patterns in many parts of the world. This information is therefore 

relevant to many climate-related risk management systems, and users are 

encouraged to seek detailed interpretations for their locations and sectors.