New Zealand Climate Update 121 - July 2009
What happened in June, how our climate outlook for the previous three months turned out, global and local sea temperatures, and our climate outlook for July to September.
Current Climate - June 2009
June 2009 was dominated by anticyclones (‘highs’) to the far southwest of New Zealand, and higher than normal air pressures over the country. The persistent winter highs caused frosts, below normal temperatures, plentiful sunshine, and more southerly winds than normal.
Global Settings - June 2009
The Equatorial Pacific is now in a neutral state, and expected to stay that way over winter, but there is an increasing chance of a transition to El Niño conditions during spring.
Outlook - July to September 2009
Mean sea level pressures are likely to be lower than normal to the north of the country during winter, with an easterly or south-easterly flow anomaly over New Zealand. Sea surface temperatures around New Zealand are expected to be average or below average through the June-August period.