December

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 51 – December 2004

November’s climate: The South Pacific Convergence Zone was active between Papua New Guinea, Nauru and Tuvalu, extended southeast to the Southern Cook Islands.

ENSO and sea surface temperatures (SST): Weak El Niño conditions are expected to continue in the tropical Pacific. Above average rainfall is likely in Western and Eastern Kiribati, Tuvalu, Tokelau, and the Northern Cook Islands. Below average rainfall is expected in Papua New Guinea and the Marquesas Islands.

Forecast validation: How well are we doing with our predictions?

Tropical rainfall outlook: December 2004 to February 2005.

Feature article: What is PI-GCOS?

Tropical Pacific rainfall: November 2004.

Sources of South Pacific rainfall data.

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