Science Centres: Climate

The Equatorial Pacific is now in a neutral state, and expected to stay that way over winter, but there is an increasing chance of a transition to El Niño conditions during spring.

Differences from average global sea surface temperatures for 3 May to 30 May 2009. Map courtesy of NOAA Climate Diagnostics Centre.

Monthly values of the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), a measure of changes in atmospheric pressures across the Pacific, and the 3-month mean (black line). SOI mean values: April +1.0; February to April average +0.7.

Differences from normal May surface temperatures in the seas around New Zealand.

Sea surface temperatures

On average, sea surface temperatures around New Zealand were below normal in May. SST anomalies around the country were generally negative, except for south of the South Island and northwest of the North Island. Average or below average sea surface temperatures are expected over the next three months.