Island UpdatePosted by Greg Estes on June 11, 2009If anyone is interested in our ACTIVE GALAPAGOS TOUR please click on our Trips Page or contact us at greg@galapagosconnection.net for more information. JUNE 2009The sea surface temperatures in Galápagos are slightly above normal for this time of year. Sea temperatures are currently in the mid 70s°F (24-25° C). These temperatures aren't likely to change much in June. It is always difficult to predict sea surface temperatures in the Islands, but it is likely that sea surface temperatures at most of the sites will be between 73° and 77°F (23-25° C) during June. For current updates on sea surface temperatures check the NOAA website (http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/data/sst/contour/equatpac.REM.fc.gif). For current updates on sea surface temperature anomalies check the following website (http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/climo.html). And for predictions concerning El Niño for the next six months you can look at (http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/enso_advisory/). As far as wetsuits: For those sensitive to the cold, a full-length 3-5 mm wetsuit and a neoprene hood is recommended. It should always be remembered that differences in water temperatures between islands can vary as much as 10° F (5.5° C). During a one week cruise, there could be a range in temperature from 65° to 75° F (18.5° to 24° C). Those who are NOT sensitive to the cold should be fine with a short 3-mm wetsuit over a full-length skinsuit. The full-length skinsuit is recommended as it offers protection from the sun. Although we are now going through a transition from the hot rainy season to the cool dry Garua season we are moving from slightly lower sea surface temperatures to slightly higher sea surface temperatures for the time of year.This indicates that an El Niño could be developing in the next few months. See the following website for more details: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/enso_advisory/. As a result of the warm conditions persisting we continue to get occasional light rain during the dry season. Typically the days are sunny with periods of cloud cover. We can expect air temperatures to drop slightly over the next few months. Air temperatures are in the 80’s° and low 90’s° F (27° - 33° C) during the day and in the mid 70s° F (23° - 25° C) at night. |