One may use the subsurface heat content as one measure of the El Nino strength, and this year (and even certain times during 2014) have been quite impressive. However, we creatures on land are most concerned about the climate effects, since they can interfere with (or sometimes help) our livelihoods and well being. Unless the heat from the subsurface anomalies affects the sea SURFACE temperature, the remote climate effects (teleconnections) are not triggered. This is why we care the most about the SST anomalies. On the other hand, the subsurface anomalies do represent and important potential for SST anomalies.