Equatorial Undercurrent Disappears During 1982-1983 El Niño

Abstract
The equatorial undercurrent at 159°W decayed during August 1982, partially reversed during September, and rapidly reappeared in January 1983. The virtual disappearance is consistent with the basin-wide adjustment of sea surface slope to the strong westerly winds in the western and central Pacific that caused the 1982-1983 El Niño event.