Great update.

The Relative Oceanic Nino Index (RONI)  is not as impressed by this El Nino as the ONI according to ERSST data.  Could this explain the lack of atmospheric response?  Similar to 2015 where the SST anomalies indicated a "Super" El Nino but the teleconnections simply didn't correspond as expected...Also, after experiencing more than a decade of cooling in the Pacific, is 0.5°C still a sufficient standard?