El Nino 2014? 50-50

There is some buzz about an El Nino taking place this year.  When you read the discussion, it is CERTAINLY not a sure thing.   See below.

"The model predictions of ENSO for this summer and beyond are relatively unchanged from last month. Almost all the models indicate that ENSO-neutral (Niño-3.4 index between -0.5^oC and 0.5^oC) will persist through the rest of the Northern Hemisphere spring 2014 (Fig. 6). While all models predict warming in the tropical Pacific, there is considerable uncertainty as to whether El Niño will develop during the summer or fall. If westerly winds continue to emerge in the western equatorial Pacific, the development of El Niño would become more likely. However, the lower forecast skill during the spring and overall propensity for cooler conditions over the last decade still justify significant probabilities for ENSO-neutral. The consensus forecast is for ENSO-neutral to continue through the Northern Hemisphere spring 2014, with about a 50% chance of El Niño developing during the summer or fall (click CPC/IRI consensus forecast for the chance of each outcome)."

How's that for not going out on a limb?  Undangerous to the max.

But the interesting thing right now is that the east side of the Pacific is definitely warming up.  See the animation below. Watch what happens off Central America right at the end of the period.

Hmmm, quite intriguing.  But it may mean nada.