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 31 May to 27 June 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: June –0.4; April to June average +0.0.

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

Sea surface temperatures

Sea surface temperatures around New Zealand are likely to be near average or slightly below average through the July to September period.