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.
Weather conditions were generally settled over the North Island during February 2011, with more northwest winds than usual over the South Island. It was an extremely dry February for parts of Northland and Auckland, the Central Plateau, parts of southern Hawkes Bay and the Wairarapa, and parts of Marlborough, with rainfalls less than 20 percent of February normal in these regions. It was the driest February in Dannevirke since records began there in 1951.
The strong La Niña event continues in the tropical Pacific, but is showing signs of easing. Neutral conditions are likely in the tropical Pacific by winter. During March-May, mean sea level pressures are likely to be below normal to the north of New Zealand and above normal to the east and south of the country, with weaker westerlies across New Zealand.
During March-May, mean sea level pressures are likely to be below normal to the north of New Zealand and above normal to the east and south of the country, with weaker westerlies across New Zealand. Temperatures are likely or very likely to be above average in all regions. Seasonal rainfall is likely to be above normal in the northern North Island, normal or above normal in the remainder of the North Island and the northern South Island, and near normal elsewhere.
The climate we predicted and what actually happened.
