Tropical Pacific rainfall

Tropical cyclones
So far, only two named tropical cyclones have occurred in the Southwest Pacific this season; being ‘Xavier’ in October and ‘Yani’ in November, occurring over the seas between the Solomon Islands and Fiji.

Tropical cyclones

So far, only two named tropical cyclones have occurred in the Southwest Pacific this season; being ‘Xavier’ in October and ‘Yani’ in November, occurring over the seas between the Solomon Islands and Fiji. However, at least several more tropical cyclones are likely over the period from January through March, when the season normally reaches its peak.

The characteristics of the El Niño conditions presently affecting in the Pacific mean that we are still likely to see above average numbers of tropical cyclones in several parts of the South Pacific near and east of the Date Line this season, with a normal rate of occurrence in Islands west of the Date Line.

Future issues of the ICU will provide updates on information relating to further occurrences of tropical cyclones in the region.

Tropical Pacific rainfall - December 2006

Territory and station name December 2006 rainfall total (mm) December 2006 percent of average
Australia
Cairns Airport 94.6 51
Townsville Airport 55.6 42
Brisbane Airport 76.0 60
Sydney Airport 70.0 92
Cook Islands
Penrhyn 38.8 12
Rarotonga Airport 199.5 106
Rarotonga EWS 110.6 59
Fiji
Rotuma 446.6 157
Udu Point 224.7 85
Nadi 88.1 49
Nausori 404.7 152
Ono-I-Lau 79.7 53
French Polynesia
Hiva Hoa, Atuona 10.6 11
Bora Bora Motu 247.4 91
Tahiti – Faa’a 276.0 78
Tuamotu, Takaroa 196.8 90
Gambier, Rikitea 77.8 37
Tubuai 83.4 46
Rapa 139.2 66
New Zealand
Kaitaia 55.9 58
Whangarei Airport 50.6 56
Auckland Airport 47.0 57
Niue
Hanan 126.5 75
Liku 84.0 74
New Caledonia
Ile Art, Belep 30.0 23
Koumac 2.2 2
Ouloup 12.3 9
Ouanaham 6.2 4
Poindimie 64.0 28
La Roche 16.6 9
La Tontouta 3.2 4
Noumea 18.0 23
Moue 14.2 10
North Tasman
Lord Howe Island 59.2 49
Norfolk Island 82.4 100
Raoul Island 87.0 64
Tuvalu
Funafuti 317.5 81
Nuilakita 134.3 44

Rainfall totalling 200 percent or more is considered well above average. Totals of 40 percent or less are normally well below average. Highlighted values are new records.

Data are published as received and may be subject to change after undergoing quality control checks.