New Zealand Climate Update 119 - May 2009
Current Climate - April 2009
April 2009 was dominated by persisting anticyclones to the east of the North Island of New Zealand. This resulted in more northerly air flows than normal over the country, which contributed to higher than normal rainfall in the far north and southwest, and lower than normal rainfall in the east and south.
Global Settings - April 2009
Pacific Ocean temperatures are slightly above normal near the South American coast and in the area west of the Date Line. However, the El Niño–Southern Oscillation is considered to be in a neutral state and is likely to remain this way through to the end of 2009.
Outlook - May to July 2009
In the New Zealand region, mean sea level pressures are likely to be lower than normal to the north of the country, resulting in a weak easterly wind flow anomaly over the country during winter.