SSTs on the Rise -- HotSpots develop off Western Australia With La Nina conditions holding on over much of the tropical oceans, SSTs around Australia have been moving up dramatically off the SW and W coastline [http://psbsgi1.nesdis.noaa.gov:8080/PSB/EPS/SST/data/anomnight.1.4.2000.gif]. Being summer, temperature levels exceed the normal maximum values expected during this time of year -- hence "HotSpots" are depicted where these elevations exceed 1 deg C [http://psbsgi1.nesdis.noaa.gov:8080/PSB/EPS/SST/climohot.html] and bleaching is usually observed. Our new experimental charts that attempt to accumulate thermal stress over coral reefs can be found at: http://psbsgi1.nesdis.noaa.gov:8080/PSB/EPS/icg/dhw/dhw_new.html This page will update twice each week and as levels approach 8-10 degree heating weeks [DHW] potential coral mortality occurs. Scientists/reef experts are encouraged to fill out our feedback forms provided at this NOAA WebSite to help us with this development and monitoring work. Another region of SST increase and associated HotSpots, we are watching, can be seen around much of Papua New Guinea. A. E. Strong.