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I agree with Bob that this event is not evolving like a typical Modoki event, as the sea surface temperature anomalies have been strongest in the eastern Pacific and gradually expanding westward. However, I do think there is an important kernel of truth in this comment, in that the strength of this event based on the Nino-3.4 index alone could given an impression that this event is stronger than it actually is, given that the global oceans outside of the tropical Pacific are also very warm. This could make it more challenging for rainfall anomalies to develop in the eastern Pacific like in other strong El Nino events (though this hasn't been an issue so far). I hate to plug my own paper, but the presence or absence of convection in the eastern Pacific could help to shape the large-scale climate pattern that develops this winter. 

In reply to by Bryan