Monthly climate
Enhanced convection over much of the western and central Pacific
Well below average rainfall from Australia across to central French Polynesia
The SPCZ was near its average location about and west of the dateline, with enhanced convection between the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. This region merged with the ENSO related area of enhanced convection situated over Kiribati in the central equatorial Pacific. Episodes of equatorial westerlies, enhancing the ENSO linked convection over Kiribati, were not as frequent as in the past few months. Anomalous rainfall continued, as much as 300-400% of average, in parts of Western Kiribati, and totals at least 200% of average in parts of Eastern Kiribati, as well as localised parts of Vanuatu and Pitcairn Island. Rainfall was at least 125% average in the Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia.
The SPCZ continued to be weak with little activity east of Tokelau in the Southwest Pacific.Convection remained suppressed over Indonesia, and Australia where extremely dry conditions persisted. Rainfall continued below average across the Coral Sea to New Caledonia, now affecting Fiji, Tonga, Niue, and Central French Polynesia, all with totals less than 50% of average in many areas. However, Rikitea recorded its highest monthly and 24-hour rainfall for October, 341mm and 131mm respectively.
Temperatures were generally around and above average throughout the Pacific region.
Climate extremes in October 2002
| Country | Location | Rainfall (mm) | % of average | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Kiribati | Tarawa | 357 | 330 | Well above average |
| Western Kiribati | Arorae | 315 | 371 | Well above average |
| Pitcairn | Pitcairn Island | 279 | 209 | Well above average |
| French Polynesia | Rikitea | 341 | 183 | New Record |
| Australia | Willis Island | <1 | 2 | Extremely Low |
| Australia | Cairns Airport | 0 | 0 | Record Low |
| Australia | Townsville Airport | 0 | 0 | Record Low |
| New Caledonia | La Tontouta | 3 | 6 | Extremely Low |
| New Caledonia | Noumea | 8 | 16 | Well below average |
| Tonga | Fua’amotu Airport | 27 | 24 | Extremely Low |
| French Polynesia | Tahiti – Faaa | 13 | 15 | Extremely Low |
| Country | Location | Max air Temp (°C) | Date of Occurrence | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French Polynesia | Hao | 32.1 | 27th | New High |
| Fiji | Rotuma | 33.0 | 25th | New High |
| Fiji | Nabouwalu | 32.9 | 23rd | New High |
| Country | Location | Min air Temp (°C) | Date of Occurrence | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiji | Rotuma | 26.9 | 3rd | New High |
| Fiji | Labasa Airfield | 25.8 | 24th | New High |
Outgoing Long-wave Radiation (OLR) anomalies, in Wm-2 , for October 2002 represented by shaded areas, and rainfall percentage of average, shown by numbers. High radiation levels (yellow) are typically associated with clearer skies and lower rainfall, while cloudy conditions lower the OLR (blue) and typically mean higher rainfalls. The October 2002 position of the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ), as identified from total rainfall, is indicated by the solid green line. The average climatological position of the SPCZ is identified by the dashed green line. Data source: NOAA-CIRES Climate Diagnostics Center. Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), as identified from total rainfall, is indicated by the solid blue line.