NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Images provided by the U.S/French Jason satellite.

These images show sea surface height anomalies with the seasonal cycle (the effects of summer, fall, winter, and spring) removed. The differences between what we see and what is normal for different times and regions are called anomalies, or residuals. When oceanographers and climatologists view these "anomalies" they can identify unusual patterns and can tell us how heat is being stored in the ocean to influence future planetary climate events. Each image is a 10-day average of data, ending on the date indicated. Reds represent top heights. Blues represent below normal heights.



Image above: June 15, 2004. Credit: NASA



Image above: July 27, 2004. Credit: NASA



Image Above: August 8, 2004. Credit: NASA

For more information and satellite images see El Nino/La Nina Watch

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Rani Chohan
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center