New Zealand Climate Update 128 – February 2010
What happened in January, how our climate outlook for the previous three months turned out, global and local sea temperatures, and our outlook for February to April.
Current Climate - January 2010
Overall, January 2010 was an unsettled month, being wet, slightly cool, and extremely cloudy. The month was characterised by lower pressures than normal over the country.
Global Setting – January 2010
El Niño conditions are well-established, and are expected to persist at moderate intensity before weakening during the autumn. Over the coming three months, mean sea level pressures are likely to be above normal to the north of the country, with a slightly enhanced west or southwest flow anomaly over New Zealand.
Outlook - February to April 2010
Over the coming three months, mean sea level pressures are likely to be above normal to the north of the country, with a slightly enhanced west or southwest flow anomaly over New Zealand. Temperatures are expected to be average or below average everywhere. Rainfall is likely to be normal or below normal over the north of the North Island, below normal in the east of the North Island, and normal or above normal in the west and south of the South Island. Normal rainfall is expected elsewhere.