Current Climate - July 2009
During July 2009, there was a transition towards more southwesterly winds across New Zealand. Lower than normal pressures continued east of the country.
What happened in July, how our climate outlook for the previous three months turned out, global and local sea temperatures and our outlook for August to October.
During July 2009, there was a transition towards more southwesterly winds across New Zealand. Lower than normal pressures continued east of the country.
The equatorial Pacific ocean has moved into an El Niño state (with the atmosphere still to adjust), and El Niño conditions are likely to persist through the rest of 2009. Only weak impacts are expected over New Zealand in the coming three month season. In the New Zealand region over the three months August-October, mean sea level pressures are likely to transition towards El Niño-like conditions, with enhanced westerly winds at times.
The climate we predicted and what actually happened.
In the New Zealand region over the three months August-October, mean sea level pressures are likely to transition towards El Niño-like conditions, with enhanced westerly winds at times. Sea surface temperatures near New Zealand are expected to be somewhat below average through August-October.