Evolution of El Nino in 2002 observed by TRMM

Evolution of El Nino in 2002 observed by TRMM

This image shows monthly mean rainfall anomalies estimated by the "TRMM and Others Combined" algorithm (TRMM, IR on board geostationary satellites and rain gauges). It is clear that the variation of the SST distribution corresponds well to the changes in the distribution of rainfall all over the world. In July, more rain was over the far south of Japan, and was related to the evolution of typhoons in this area. In September, peaks of rainfall were found over the central tropical Pacific, and in November, the position of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) shifted further southward than in a normal year.