Island Climate Update 105 - June 2009

An overview of the present climate in the tropical South Pacific Islands, with an outlook for the coming months, to assist in dissemination of climate information in the Pacific region.
Number 105 – June 2009
May’s climate

The South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) was positioned southwest of normal.
Suppressed convection near Western Kiribati and along the Equator extending east through Nauru and Eastern Kiribati.
Mostly well above normal rainfall for New Caledonia and many parts of Fiji.

El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO), seasonal rainfall, and sea surface temperature for

Tropical rainfall and SST outlook: June to August 2009

Rainfall outlook map for June to August 2009.

Sea surface temperature outlook map for June to August 2009.

During June – August 2009, a region of suppressed convection is likely in the southwest Pacific encompassing Tokelau, Tuvalu, the Northern Cook Islands, and the Marquesas, with below average rainfall expected for those areas. Near normal rainfall is forecast for Pitcairn Island and the Tuamotu Archipelago.

Sources of South Pacific rainfall data
This bulletin is a multi-national project with important collaboration from the following Pacific nations:
American Samoa
Australia
Cook Islands
Fiji
French Polynesia
Kiribati
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Niue
Papua New Guinea
Pitcairn Island
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Tokelau
Tonga
Tuvalu
Vanuatu
Requests for Pacific island climate data should be directed to the Meteorological Services concerned.
Your comments and ideas about the Island Climate Update are welcome.