Science Centres: Climate
What happened in August, how our climate outlook for the previous three months turned out, global and local sea temperatures, and our outlook for September to November.
The climate we predicted and what actually happened.
During August 2009 frequent northerly winds affected New Zealand, resulting in warmer than normal temperatures.
A weak El Niño is present in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, and is expected to persist through to the autumn of 2010. Forecast guidance indicates some El Niño-like conditions affecting New Zealand in the coming three-month season. Mean sea level pressures are likely to be lower than normal with more southwesterly winds than usual.
In the New Zealand region over the coming three months, mean sea level pressures are likely to be lower than normal with more southwesterly winds than usual. Temperatures are expected to be average or below average in the north and east of the North Island, and near average in other regions. Rainfall is likely to be normal or below normal in the North Island and north of the South Island.