Science Centres: Climate
April
Monthly climate
Tropical Pacific rainfall
Three-month outlook
Data sources
An overview of the present climate in the tropical South Pacific Islands, with an outlook for the coming months, to assist in dissemination of climate information in the Pacific region.
Number 103 – April 2009
March’s climate
The South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) was displaced southwest of its normal position and was very active.
Very suppressed convection near Western Kiribati and south of the Equator from Nauru southeast to Tuvalu.
Mostly well above normal rainfall for French Polynesia and New Caledonia.
El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO), seasonal rainfall, and sea s
Climate developments in March 2009
Outgoing Long-wave Radiation anomalies for March 2009. (Click for enlargement and detail)
The South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) was displaced south and west of normal during March, continuing the trend from last month. A region of enhanced rainfall, partly due to intensified convection, was observed over Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia last month. Suppressed convection intensified during near the Equator during March and encompassed the region northeast of the Solomon Islands, including Western Kiribati, Nauru, and Tuvalu.
Tropical rainfall and SST outlook: April to June 2009
Rainfall outlook map for April to June 2009.
Sea surface temperature outlook map for April to June 2009.
During the March–May 2009 forecast period, a region of suppressed convection is likely in the southwest Pacific encompassing Tokelau, Tuvalu, and the Northern Cook Islands, with below average rainfall expected for those areas.
Tropical Pacific rainfall - March 2009
Territory and station name
March 2009 rainfall
total (mm)
March 2009 percent
of average
Australia
Cairns Airport
149
33
Townsville Airport
18
8
Brisbane Airport
47
34
Sydney Airport
61
47
Cook Islands
Penrhyn
169
55
Aitutaki
59
30
Rarotonga Airport
268
158
Fiji
Rotuma Island
206
56
Udu Point
150
47
Nadi Airport
321
94
Nausori
450
118
French Polynesia
Hiva Hoa, Atuona
175
194
Bora Bora
247
179
Tahiti – Faa’a
125
179
Tuamotu, Takaroa
73
140
Gambier, Rikitea
53
169
Tubuai
212
168
Rapa
Sources of South Pacific rainfall data
This bulletin is a multi-national project with important collaboration from the following Pacific nations:
American Samoa
Australia
Cook Islands
Fiji
French Polynesia
Kiribati
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Niue
Papua New Guinea
Pitcairn Island
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Tokelau
Tonga
Tuvalu
Vanuatu
Requests for Pacific island climate data should be directed to the Meteorological Services concerned.
Your comments and ideas about the Island Climate Update are welcome.
