Just a short update on the current status, and where we are likely heading with El Niño. First, here is a look at the current sea surface temperature anomalies: Very  warm water just off the west coast of South America, and that warmer  than average water extends westward across the equatorial Pacific Ocean. Overall, the Pacific Ocean continues to warm, despite a few spots that  are currently cooler than average. All of the  forecast models continue to develop this episode further, during th