Science Centres: Climate
January
December's climate
Global setting & climate outlook
Feature article
Recordings of wild winds need careful interpretation
Fig 1. Anemogram (chart from anemograph) for Mt Cook Airport on part of 3 October 1981. Note curved speed scale, and horizontal hour scale within blank band near top of chart.
Fig 2.
A monthly newsletter from the National Climate Centre.
January 2006 – Number 79
December – very warm everywhere.
New Zealand climate in December 2005
Rainfall (click to enlarge).
Temperature (click to enlarge).
Above average December rainfall was recorded in many regions, particularly in the western North Island and southern South Island.
Global setting
El Niño-Southern Oscillation remains neutral
Difference from average global SST (click to enlarge).
Monthly SOI values (click to enlarge).
The tropical Pacific Ocean is in a neutral state with some features of weak La Niña conditions. Neutral conditions are expected to prevail into autumn 2006.
The SOI was near neutral in December (-0.1), with the 3-month October to December average at +0.2. The equatorial trade winds have strengthened near the Date Line.
Normal cyclone activity is expected through to April 2006.
