SST Anomaly Notes: 7 JUL 97 The 1997 El Nino continues to expand over the eastern Pacific [we are working to provide a contoured SST anomaly chart for the ENSO region]. Some of the largest anomalies at the moment appear in the vicinity of the Galapagos, off Baja California; off the NW states; and in the Gulf of Alaska. SSTs along the NE states have progressed into the positive range and the northern Gulf of Mexico is now quite positive. The positive anomaly in the North Atlantic [50-65N] has shrunk westward from the UK, but remains quite robust. Further south in the Atlantic, the persistent 1997 negative anomaly of the South Atlantic [Eq-35S] is showing signs of expanding northward into the tropical North Atlantic off Africa -- now as high as 10N. If this trend continues, "fuel" will be reduced in the "hurricane spawning waters" during August and September; however, across the North Atlantic between 20-30N conditions are warmer than normal for early July. AES [NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/ORAD]