An alert classification system for monitoring and assessing the ENSO cycle

An alert classification system for the ENSO cycle is introduced. The system includes watches, advisories, and a five-class intensity scale for warm and cold phases of the ENSO cycle. A watch is issued when conditions are favorable for the formation of an El Nino or La Nina within the next 6 months. An advisory is issued when El Nino or La Nina conditions are present, based on NOAA's operational definitions. The intensity scale, referred to as the ENSO Intensity Scale ( EIS), is used for operational and retrospective assessments of the intensity of warm ( El Nino) and cold ( La Nina) episodes, without being prescriptive concerning ENSO-related anomalies or impacts. The Climate Prediction Center's ( CPC's) monthly Climate Diagnostics Bulletin and ENSO Diagnostic Discussions will serve as the primary vehicles for disseminating real-time information concerning the ENSO alert status to the scientific community and public at large. An objective method that relates the EIS to anomalies is used to assess the effects of warm and cold episodes. The method is illustrated using precipitation in the global Tropics and subtropics and in the conterminous United States. The methodology is quite general and can be used to relate the ENSO cycle to other quantities.