Beginning with the 2013-14 Northeast Pacific marine heat wave (MHW) known at the time as the “warm blob” regional very warm (and cool) ocean surface zones have accelerated and are affecting our climate. The most recent analysis identifying where MHW’s are currently located indicates 5 major events that are ongoing. Learn more from Climate Impact Company at GRAINCOM 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland May 15-17, 2023!

Evolution of a major tropical cyclone in the Bay of Bengal later this week will bring a large area of excessive rain to the Southeast Asia drought area during the middle third of May. Meanwhile, India will turn very dry and hot after a recent period a thundershower weather pattern.

The 10-day rainfall forecasts feature buoyant amounts across Texas where ECM ENS forecasts extreme rainfall. The Texas drought is easing. To the north of this wet zone easing Texas drought, forecasts are uncertain how much heavy rain can infiltrate northern latitudes and if any of that rain can strike the core of the current drought in Kansas.

The unusually warm Gulf of Mexico SST of Q1/2023 increased low-level atmospheric moisture that when entrained into mid-latitude synoptic storms, caused excessive rainfall and unusually intense severe weather. However, the increase in southern latitude storm track intensity inspired by transient Pacific MJO episodes in March and April has caused a steady loss of upper ocean heat in the Gulf of Mexico in recent weeks. The 30-day SSTA change in the Gulf of Mexico is nearly 1C.