Science Centres: Climate

The equatorial Pacific is now in a La Niña state, which is likely to continue through the rest of 2010. During August-October, mean sea level pressures are likely to be above normal near New Zealand.

 
Differences from average global sea surface temperatures for 4th July to 31st of July 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: July SOI +2.0; May to July average +1.0.

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

Sea surface temperatures

Sea surface temperatures are expected to be near average or above average around New Zealand over the August to October period.