Island Climate Update 81 - June 2007

Summary of the 2006–07 tropical cyclone season

Figure 1. The number of named Southwest Pacific tropical cyclones for the 2006–07 season

Figure 2. Southwest Pacific tropical cyclone tracks for the 2006–07 season

Stuart Burgess, NIWA
The 2006–07 Southwest Pacific tropical cyclone season had seven occurrences (east of 150°E), one less than the average (1976–77 to 2005–06) number normally expected for the region in the tropical cyclone season (Figure 1), and the same number as the 2005–06 season.

Climate developments in May 2007
  Outgoing Long-wave Radiation anomalies for May 2007. (Click for enlargement and detail)
The South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) extended from Papua New Guinea to the Society Islands, and was slightly further north than average west of the Date Line, and a little further south than average well east of the Date Line. The SPCZ was quite active over Samoa.

Tropical Pacific rainfall - May 2007

Territory and station name
March 2007 rainfall
total (mm)
March 2007 percent
of average

Australia

Cairns Airport
151.0
157

Townsville Airport
428
8

Brisbane Airport
71.6
72

Sydney Airport
11.4
12

Cook Islands

Penrhyn
122.4
67

Rarotonga Airport
196.4
116

Rarotonga EWS
176.2
104

Fiji

Rotuma
326.4
110

Udu Point
307.2
184

Nadi
26.9
30

Nausori
254.5
103

Ono-I-Lau
285.4
277

French Polynesia

Hiva Hoa, Atuona
189.9
120

Bora Bora Motu
158.8
143

Tahiti – Faa’a
95.8
93

Tuamotu, Takaroa
36.2
41

Gambier, R