Warming water temperatures in the central equatorial Pacific Ocean last month may indicate the start of a new El Nino, according to a report by the National Weather Service.
El Nino, which can affect weather conditions around the world, often is first seen as increased sea surface temperature readings in the Pacific Ocean, along with changes in wind patterns.
Sea surface temperatures rose nearly 1 degree Fahrenheit above normal in July, with even higher readings to the east, the service's Climate Prediction Center said this week.
The temperature increases, the agency said, "indicate the early possible stages of a warm episode."