Science Centres: Climate
What happened in February, how our climate outlook for the previous three months turned out, global and local sea temperatures, and our outlook for March to May.
Overall, February 2010 was a very settled month, with more frequent anticyclones (‘highs’) affecting New Zealand than is usual at this time of year. This resulted in an extremely dry and warm February, for many regions of the country. There was a notable lack of unsettled weather during the month. Severe soil moisture deficits continued in Northland during February, and have now developed in parts of Auckland, Marlborough, Canterbury and Otago.
A significant El Niño event continues in the Tropical Pacific, but conditions are likely to weaken towards neutral during the autumn (March-May). During autumn, mean sea level pressures are likely to be above normal to the north of the country, with slightly enhanced westerly flow over New Zealand.
During autumn (March-May), mean sea level pressures are likely to be above normal to the north of the country, with slightly enhanced westerly flow over New Zealand. Temperatures are expected to be near average in the North Island, but average or above average in the South Island. Rainfall is likely to be near normal in the North Island and northern South Island, normal or above normal in the western South Island, and normal or below normal in the eastern South Island.
The climate we predicted and what actually happened.