These maps show monthly vector wind anomalies and wind speed anomalies from the month previous (Lag = -1) to the labeled month, and the change in sea surface temperature anomalies from the previous month to the labeled month, for the globe, using the 1991-2020 base period.
To produce the wind anomaly vectors, the zonal and meridional monthly wind anomalies are computed separately. Vectors show the resultant wind anomaly direction, and the vector length indicates the magnitude of the resultant wind anomaly. A vector scale in the lower-right-hand corner of the map indicates the length of the vector for a given speed, in units of m/s. Signed wind speed anomalies are calculated by subtracting the magnitude of the resultant monthly climatolgical wind speed (1991-2020 base period) from the magnitude of the resultant monthly observed wind speed, and are indicated by contours with an interval of +/- 1 m/s. All wind data shown is for the month previous (Lag -1) to the labeled month. Color shading indicates the change in the monthly sea surface temperature anomaly between the labeled month and the month previous to that in units of °C. Increases in temperature anomaly from the previous month to the labeled month are shown in shades of yellow and red, and decreases in temperature anomaly from the previous month to the labeled month are shown in shades of blue. Sea surface temperature anomalies are calculated with respect to the 1991-2020 base period.
Contact help@iri.columbia.edu with any technical questions or problems with this Map Room.