As of February 17th, the aerial coverage of ice across the Great Lakes is 47%. Since 2014, the current aerial coverage of Great Lakes ice is about average. When Great Lakes ice has been above average as observed during the 2013-14/2014-15 polar vortex winter seasons, FEB/MAR/APR climate across North America was biased colder than normal. When ice is at moderate levels similar with 2026, a cold bias during FEB/MAR/APR appears to the west of the Great Lakes region

The subsurface eastern equatorial Pacific continues too steadily warm. A Kelvin Wave moving east across the Dateline during early December reached waters off northwest South America recently while a second Kelvin Wave emerged near and east of the Dateline and is drifting eastward. The atmosphere remains slow to respond as southern oscillation index (SOI) stays positive and 15-day forecasts maintain the positive phase.

GFS indicates a progressive MJO toward the Dateline in the 8-14/11-15-day period. If so, ongoing U.S. warmth continues and could become stronger. Yesterday, NOAA introduced the Relative Operational Nino Index (RONI) which provides a new Nino34 index accounting for the historical general warming of the global tropics. But! Does this new index effectively identify ENSO pattern change and intensity?

Dynamic models indicate that possibility while a constructed analog keeps ENSO in neutral phase. We’re in the ENSO prediction barrier right now, when ENSO forecast skill is low. Close monitoring of ENSO is required during the next few months.