HotSpot Notes -- December 11, 1998

NOAA satellite data show "HotSpots" and related coral reef 
bleaching have virtually disappeared.  This marks the lowest 
areal coverage of extremely high temperature ocean waters 
since January 1997, prior to the 1997/98 El Nino, nearly two 
years ago!...and hopefully heralds a period of some reef 
restoration during the next year.  The final HotSpot has been 
shrinking during the past few weeks along the NW shore of 
Australia, where cyclone "Thelma" has been active in a SW 
course off Darwin....possibly being aided a bit with some extra 
"fuel" from these SSTs that exceed maximum yearly levels by 
more than 1 deg C.

A. E. Strong
  NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/ORAD -- E/RA3                   
  NOAA Science Center -- RM 711W                 
  5200 Auth Road                                      
  Camp Springs, MD 20746-4304                           
        Alan.E.Strong@noaa.gov
     301-763-8102 x170    FAX: 301-763-8108
                    http://manati.wwb.noaa.gov/orad