Science Centres: Climate

Climate developments in January 2002

Low rainfall over Kiribati and islands east of the dateline

January rainfall and OLR anomalies were opposite those recorded in December throughout much of the region. Dry sunny conditions replaced wet weather, with less than 50% of average rainfall, over much of Kiribati, Tuvalu, Tokelau, Samoa, and Tonga. Most stations in French Polynesia measured only 10-40% of average rainfall. Rainfall was also less than 50% of average along the Queensland coast of Australia and in the Kermadecs

Extremely low January rainfall was recorded at:

Enhanced convection occurred over the Coral Sea, Vanuatu, and Fiji, where the SPCZ was active and further south than usual. The SPCZ then showed a split, resuming over French Polynesia and lying northeast of its usual position. Rainfall was about 150% of average in many areas of Vanua and Viti Levu in Fiji, Niue, and parts of the Marquesas. Rainfall anomalies were mixed over Vanuatu and New Caledonia, some areas being drier than average and some much wetter.

High January rainfall was recorded at:

Outgoing Long-wave Radiation and Rainfall Anomalies for January 2002 Outgoing Long-wave Radiation (OLR) anomalies, in Wm-2 are represented by shaded areas, and rainfall percentage of average, shown by numbers. High radiation levels (yellow) are typically associated with clearer skies and lower rainfall, while cloudy conditions (blue) lower the OLR and typically mean higher rainfalls. The position of the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ), as identified from total rainfall, is indicated by the green line. The average position of the SPCZ is identified by the dashed green line. OLR data source: NOAA-CIRES Climate Diagnostics Center.