23 SEP 96 NOTES:
Gulf of Alaska region has been cooling dramatically during past 2
weeks.

"Scar" of cooler waters left following several hurricanes moving up
the eastern seaboard of the US is still evident...although region
between Cuba and Bahamas has warmed above normal again.

All of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico appears to be experiencing
SSTs above normal, as has been the case for the past few years.

Evidence is noted of increased meandering/eddy activity along the
Gulf Stream.

In the Tropics a trend to below normal SSTs off Africa both the
Atlantic and Indian Ocean is evident.

Waters have cooled dramatically in the western North Pacific south
and east of Japan -- typhoon activity?