Science Centres: Climate

The equatorial Pacific is in a moderate to strong La Niña state, which is expected to continue to at least the autumn of 2011. During October-December, mean sea level pressures are likely to be above normal over and south of New Zealand, with weaker than normal westerly winds over the country.

 
Differences from average global sea surface temperatures for 12th of September to the 9th of October 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: September SOI +2.5; July to September average +2.1.

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

Sea surface temperatures

Sea surface temperatures are presently near normal around New Zealand, but are expected to become warmer than normal around the North Island as the season progresses.