Science Centres: Climate

A significant El Niño event continues in the Tropical Pacific, but conditions are now showing signs of weakening with neutral conditions expected by winter. During April – June, mean sea level pressures are likely to be slightly below normal over the country, with a slightly enhanced westerly flow over New Zealand.

 
Differences from average global sea surface temperatures for the 14th of March to the 10th of April 2010. Map courtesy of NOAA Climate Diagnostics Centre (http://www.cdc.noaa.gov/map/images/sst/sst.anom.month.gif).

 

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: March SOI -1.4; January to March average -1.4.

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

Sea surface temperatures

Sea surface temperatures are expected to be above average around New Zealand.